Page 10 of Her Wicked Men

What the hell is wrong with me?

I fisted my hands in my hair, grinding my teeth together as I tried to reel in the turmoil within my mind, to quell the tears that had blinded me.

I’d held my hand out and accepted the darkness like a welcome lover. I was a monster too, now.

The sobs died off, my vision finally returning as I stared at the lone daisy before me.

A beautiful flower glowing in the darkness here.

A soft scoff escaped my lips at the irony of it all. My body felt weak and numb, the emotions having wrought havoc on my being.

I wanted to curl up and sleep for eternity, pray that this all faded away, that I’d wake up safe and whole somewhere.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the darkness. I wasn’t sure if it was for Callum or for myself.

He was gone, and who I’d once been had died along with him.

I raised my head to look up at the stars visible through the gaps in the pines, glittering like they were reminding me that there was still a light to be found.

There couldn’t be light without darkness.

The hair rose on the back of my neck, and I stiffened, the uneasy sensation of no longer being alone crawling along my skin like insects.

Had someone finally come for me?

Was it Hank? Or another guard? Maybe one of the brothers themselves?

Was I ready to face them? I’d still not decided on what I wanted to do now. I just wanted to sleep it all away, deal with this another time, to mourn properly.

Movement to my left had my head snapping in that direction, and I froze up at the silhouette of a man.

He stepped closer, the faint light from the moon revealing only some of his face, the rest cast in shadows.

I didn’t recognize him from the guards I’d seen, and the chill that crept up my spine had my heart skipping a beat uneasily.

“Well, looks like the Slades have found themselves a toy. It would be a shame if we took it from them.”

My stomach dropped as I swallowed, watching as another man joined him. My skin was itching madly now, like bugs were trying to wriggle under it, the sense of doom making itself known.

This was not good at all.

“I think this is our lucky day,” the second man said, stepping into more of the frail light, revealing a wicked smile that made every fiber of my being scream for me to run.

“Now, let’s not make this any harder than it has to be.”

Well shit, if this wasn’t instant karma biting me in the ass.

Callum would be laughing in his shallow grave.

6

VERONICA

Iscrambled as the two men shot forward, desperately trying to flee as panic took hold.

I never should have left the house. Of course the universe was righting the wrong I’d done, making me pay for my sins.

Strong hands closed on my arms, and I let the scream loose that bubbled up my throat, praying that the guards or brothers heard me.

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