37. Isabelle

37

ISABELLE

I whimpered as Barrett lowered me down on my bed. "Shh, calm down, Izzy. I'll get you the doctor."

I didn't want to let him go. My whole body ached from Rafe's brutal assault. I hadn't expected that level of viciousness from a man who claimed to be my brother. Then again, I hadn't expected Ebarardo to hand me over to him just to prove a point.

I stared into Barrett's eyes, hoping it would anchor me to the present when all I wanted to do was pass out. My cheek was throbbing painfully and it hurt when I breathed, but I'd had worse from Ebarardo when he was angry with me over something he took offense to.

Barrett ran his hand over my bruised cheek, wincing when he felt how swollen it was. "I'm so fucking sorry."

I was shaking too hard to respond. Barrett watched over me when Ebarardo took out his temper on me. It all started seven years ago when he came to the island on rotation. He did exactly what my husband wanted, but when Ebarardo turned his back and we were alone, he tended to my wounds and made sure I was comfortable, slipping me pain pills to help me through the worst of it.

He always felt so guilty since he worked for the monster, but if he didn't, I would be on my own. It was only because of his friendship that I had survived this long. I had once begged him to kill me when the pain was too bad, but he refused, saying he would find a way to get me out of here. We both knew that would never happen, but he infused me with hope when there was so little to spare.

"Why…would he…do that?" I wheezed.

"Ebarardo?"

I shook my head, unable to speak.

The sheer confusion on his face said exactly what I was thinking. "Did you have any idea?"

"Only since he came," I said quickly, taking a short breath. "He told me, but…I didn't know…if I could believe him."

I curled up, struggling to control the pain. There was so much I needed to say to Barrett, but I couldn't in this condition. Ebarardo would expect me to be bright and chipper in the morning, and at breakfast at the designated time. Unless I was bleeding out, there was no excuse for me to be late.

"Don't move, okay? I'm going to get the doctor."

I grabbed his arm as he tried to leave. "Please?—"

This felt worse than any other time. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but I was afraid that if I closed my eyes, it would be the last.

He gently pried my fingers from his arm, staring down at me in concern. "It's going to be okay."

"Max," I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Who?"

"Tell…Rafe."

He shook his head. "I don't understand."

"I don't—" I could barely get the words out, but this was important. I wasn't sure how, but my mother risked her life to tell me. I knew she wanted me to get the message to Rafe, and this might be my last shot.

"Why would you want me to tell Rafe anything after what he just did to you?" Barrett growled.

I couldn't explain it. I couldn't fathom what Rafe had just done, but I was positive the message was for him. If there was even a chance Rafe could still get me off this island, I had to try. Even if he did just beat me within an inch of my life.

"Just…tell him."

He nodded and walked away, leaving me alone in my room. Only then did I finally let the tears fall again and admit to myself that the pain might never stop. Maybe Rafe wasn't really here to help me. This could all be some massive joke on me, and I had just fallen yet again for someone's tricks.

When the pain became too much, I found myself drifting in and out of consciousness. I wasn't sure how much time had passed before Barrett returned. My head lolled to the side as the door opened and he rushed back in. I barely heard him speaking urgently to me.

"Did you…" The words were just a whisper on my lips, but he understood, nodding to me.

"I hope you're right about him." His hand brushed the sweat-soaked hair from my forehead. "You're burning up and the doctor isn't here."

I blinked at him, trying to understand his words. I watched as he pulled a pain pill from his pocket and shoved it in my mouth.

"I need you to swallow it."

As he held the water to my lips, I tried to do as he asked, but wound up choking. On the second try, I succeeded, exhausted from my efforts.

"Izzy, tell me what's going on. Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere," I muttered, my eyes blinking slowly as I tried to focus on him.

"I have to get you out of here." He seemed to be talking to himself, so I didn't say a word. "The doctor left the island. I have no way of helping you. I don't know what to do."

"Max," I whispered, sure it had something to do with this whole fiasco. "Tell him Max."

"I did."

My whole body was shaking furiously, but I felt hot and sick. Pins and needles pricked my whole body and the idea of moving even an inch made my whole body ache even more than it already did.

"Breakfast," I whispered. "I need…"

"You want food?" Barrett asked.

I shook my head slightly. "Ebar…ardo…breakfast."

I heard him curse under his breath as something cool brushed over my forehead. "Don't worry. I'll figure something out."

I prayed he did because as I faded into the darkness of pain, I knew there would only be more to follow if I wasn't at the table in the morning.