Page 205 of Bishop

I slow my steps, taking in more of Abri’s soft, sweet lullaby, her voice melodic and soothing despite how it hits me like a fucking truck.

I shouldn’t interrupt.

I should turn on my heel and leave them the fuck alone. But Abri catches sight of me through the darkness, her gaze pinning me, her expression falling. My face must be a fucking sight.

I stop a few feet away from her window.

“Is everything okay?” she asks quietly.

I don’t want to ruin their peace. Can’t stand the thought of fucking this up for her.

“Bishop?” Her gaze implores. “Talk to me.”

I take another step but can’t bring myself to move any closer once Tilly raises her head and turns to face me.

The little girl shrinks back into Abri, her frightened whimper piercing my chest like a fucking poisoned arrow.

“Don’t be scared,” Abri whispers. “He’s a good man. He won’t hurt you.”

The kid isn’t convinced. She stares at me in silence for long seconds, then finally buries her face into the scarf around Abri’s neck.

I’ve never felt more monstrous. More fucking ashamed to be me.

“You need to get out of here.” I jerk my chin toward the road, all casual and shit when I feel anything but.

I want to make sure they’re safe. To keep them protected. Yet there’s no way I’m putting that little girl through a car ride with me when I look like a Halloween special.

“You’re not coming?” Abri’s eyes widen in panic.

“No. I’ve got shit to take care of.” I wince when Tilly flinches, as if despising my bad language, or maybe just my tone. “Here.” I quickly step closer and hold the fluffy bunny through the window. “The house is about to blow. There’s no time to argue.”

The little girl bunches her shoulders and snuggles tighter against Abri, sending another poisoned arrow straight through my chest.

I can’t fucking take it. Can’t stand being the cause of more of the little girl’s pain.

Abri takes the toy, her lips parting as if she’s about to say something.

I don’t stick around to hear it. I force myself to turn on my heel and walk.

“Bishop,” she calls after me.

I keep marching toward Remy who approaches the road, ignoring the anger building inside me, the thunderous storm of need that roars for me to be the one to bring them to safety.

“Bishop,” she begs, the pained arrows now piercing my back.

“Take your sister to the safe house.” I glare at her brother as I pass. “Langston and Layla will be waiting.”

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“None of your goddamn business.” I continue down the road, not caring where I’m going, only cursing where I’ve been. “Just make sure they get to safety. Or I’ll come for you.”

38

ABRI

My eyes burn as I sit helpless, Tilly’s frantic breathing choppy against my neck while Bishop walks away.

He says something to Remy. My brother then jogs toward us to pull the driver’s door open.

---