The 99 Stones of Betrayal

e up in t

le was wrapped tightly, an

eamed throug

ving room. Vic' s, and anot

, got out of bed and

nsive sofa, looking uncomfortable i

ing him a cu

e," Vic said, her vo

ersonal assistant and caregiver while y

p awkwardly

then at Vic. "You

othly. "Jax needs the work, and

a conquero

nausea. She had orc

Jax, his voice laced with bitterness, though

looked

to be a weekend course he' d taken

umsy and

e dressing on Ethan' s head wound, h

Ethan to the bathroom,

s pain medication b

was trying to give

vein, poking and p

careful!" Ethan wince

"Sorry, man. These

ed and sore where Jax

get a nurse," Ethan said,

n, Vic w

ing pained, Jax looking flust

y put on a wou

he' s so... difficult." He sniffle

u know? I really need this job.

n softened as sh

to Ethan, h

th you, Ethan? He'

Vic! He doesn' t kno

"And you' re being ungrateful. J

"Think about your firm, Ethan. AuraTech is a big client for those ci

uilt with his college friend, relied on several large municip

quickly followed by a

s tra

apable of

as now staring at the f

e a mask of righteous ind

han forced out, the words ta

Jax mumbled, not

t glint in her eye. "Was that so hard?

ost him his dignity. It cost

as a physical ach

g, and Vic was the one hold

– Vic said it was to "discuss Ethan' s car

deep, forest green, found on a hike in t

nst him, tired but happy, as t

mpany, as she forced him to apologize to the ma

ow. The city light

the strength to

ness. It landed with a faint, unhear

stones

y-six

marriage, written in a birthday card: "Ethan, you

owing card, which he

ling, all earnestness and shy

was a stranger, a cruel, manipul

he card when he heard

ve the card back into t

" Vic asked, her voice

lier than he expected

s heart