I blinked, confused. The cops had just broadcast that the victim was alive. Weren't they worried that the perp might find out and go finish the job at the hospital? Or maybe the police had their own agenda.
"Let's head to the hospital," | murmured.
Dexter glanced at his arm and whispered, "I'm okay." "To the hospital," | insisted, frowning.
With a smile, Dexter steered the car toward the hospital.
"Phoebe." He shot me a sidelong glance. "You're still worried about me, aren't you? Back there..." | frowned at Dexter. "If it was a dog that got whacked, I'd be concerned too." Dexter looked like he wanted to say something but didn't. His complexion wasn't great.
But ever since 'Phoebe' had died, Dexter's temper seemed to
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇthave mellowed significantly.
If I'd made a snarky comment like that in the past, he probably would have blown his top.
"Hanging with me, anyone from Henry's crew who touches you is gonna have to think twice," Dexter said, hinting that | should stick by his side.
| scoffed. "Being with you is the most dangerous place to be.
Guess why Henry's goons were on me the second | stepped out your front door? It means there's a snake in your house." Dexter's brow furrowed. "Wendy?" I looked at him like he was insane. "You kidding me? Melody!" He chuckled. "Just messing with you." | thought Dexter was nuts and ignored him.
"You did that on purpose," he spoke up again.
"I have no idea what you're spouting,” | said, getting irritated just hearing him talk.
"You can't be clueless about the possibility of a traitor in the Fitzgerald family, that stepping out could be dangerous,"
Dexter said, his arm clearly paining him. Because he hadn't bandaged it, blood kept dripping from his fingertips.
I ignored him; it's not like he was going to die.
"You know | wouldn't let anything happen to you." Dexter's face was turning pale.
He glanced at me. "Phoebe, help me with this bleeding." Annoyed, | glanced at him. "You won't die. Let it bleed, might prevent an infection.” Dexter's mouth twitched. "Phoebe... you intentionally got me to take you out alone. What do you want to tell me?" he asked, hope in his eyes.
I looked at Dexter, indeed wanting to tell him about Melody's scheming.
But knowing Dexter's usual stubbornness, he wouldn't believe me. It'd be a waste of breath. "You've never suspected Melody?" There was complexity in Dexter's gaze as he looked back at me, a depth in his eyes. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I'm not an idiot." "Yeah, right," | snorted mockingly.
He's not an idiot, huh? "Watch your back," | said with no further explanation. If he had any doubts about Melody, he should stay alert.
"Phoebe, the wound's still bleeding,” Dexter said, reaching out his hand to me.
I looked at his wound and pressed some tissue against it.
"There, bear with it." Dexter laughed ruefully. "Phoebe, | don't believe your feelings for me have completely vanished." "You're delusional. Phoebe never had much feeling for you from the get-go. She had a lover named Caleb. She thought you saved him, but her savior wasn't you," | said coldly, cutting off Dexter's fantasy.
Dexter's eyes dimmed, and he fell silent.
The car pulled into the parking lot of Sea City Hospital before
Dexter spoke again. "Phoebe, the guy you love isn't Caleb.
Trust me just this once. You don't love him; you're afraid and terrified of him. You once begged me to help you, to hide you from him." | frowned. "As if I'd trust you." Between Colin and Dexter, Colin seemed a tad more credible.