Chapter 92

The house phone rang, the digital display showing a number she didn't recognize. Bailey answered.

"Hello."

Nothing. A silence broken only by static hummed in her ear, but of more interest, the scar in her lip tingled. "Jaxon?" she whispered, her heart stuttering to a halt. "Is that you?" For a moment, only more static greeted her. Then . . .

"Hi, sweet cheeks."

Suddenly boneless, she slumped into a chair. For a moment, pure shock kept her silent. Not for long. "Oh my God. You're alive. I knew it. I knew you didn't die. But where are you? Where have you been? Why haven't you called?" she accused. Left unsaid was, why didn't you return? They both knew how impossible that was.

"I've been here and there. Trying to atone for my actions. Not succeeding as well as I'd hoped."