Page 78 of Raze

“It’s to my old man's bungalow. I’ve been goin’ there from time to time since I’ve been back, tryin’ to find some kinda clue as to where he’s taken Willow. It’ll be safe there, Cliff’s never coming back here and it’s remote. Type Springbrook Hill into your maps and keep driving till you see the blue bungalow. Just lay low for a few days, give me a chance to talk to Raze. But don’t give up hope, and whatever you do don’t go back to the Reapers.” He smiles at me sadly before making his way back through the arch toward the clubhouse.

I get inside my car, taking the cell that Raze bought me and quickly typing in the address while it’s still in my head, then when my engine eventually decides to start I drive out the gates.

I arrive at the bungalow, and I’m surprised when I find the place turned upside down. I guess Wrath really meant it when he said he’s searched the place for clues. Taking a seat on the couch I scroll through my contacts wondering if I should call my dad. A few weeks ago I stored my father and Kane’s number in here under different names, which only proves how right Raze is. I am a liar, I deceived him and now Griller is dead and any chance of him and Alicia being happy together is ruined.

I wipe my eyes and scroll to Kane’s number. I need to explain everything to him and warn him to get the hell away from the Reapers because if I know Raze the way I think I do, he will be gunning for all of them after what happened today.

“Hello.” He sounds on edge when he answers.

“Kane it’s me.” I burst into tears again.

“Pey, are you okay?” He sounds like my big brother again, not the animal I watched shoot two men earlier.

“I’m fine, and I’m safe, but you're not. If you’ve gone back to them you need to leave real quick. I don’t know what's happening but what you did today?—”

“Did you really love him, that guy I killed?” He sounds shaken up, maybe even regretful for it.

“That wasn’t him. That was just a guy trying to protect me.” I think about that last hour we spent together, I’d never seen that side of Griller before and I get the impression not many others have, it feels as special as it is tragic.

“Protect you from who? I’m your brother, Peyton, and the second I found out that you were there I had to come for you. No one here suspects anything about Malice, you can come home.” He makes it sound so simple.

“I can’t, Kane. You're not hearing me. I’m in love with Raze.”

“Raze?” He sounds as if he’s just choked.

“Raze fuckin’ Ashford. Peyton, he’s the club’s president.”

“I’m very aware of that, and I’m telling you that you’ve got them all wrong. They’re good people.”

“Sis, you’re brainwashed. Get yourself out of there and I’ll come and get you.”

“I’ve already left,” I tell him feeling my heart break all over again when I remember how hurt and angry Raze was when he threw me out of his club.

“Pey, just tell me where you are. I’mma come and get ya. You shouldn’t be alone.”

“I’m not going back with you, Kane. I love you so much, but I love him too. I need to stay here and fix this.” I hope what Wrath said was true and he can talk to him. The thought of me and Raze being over makes me feel hollow.

“Peyton, you're my sister and what went down today scared the hell outta ya. I need to know if you're okay. At least let's talk. I promise I won’t make you do anythin’ you don’t wanna do.”

I sigh and think about how lonely tonight’s gonna be without Raze. I could sure do with my big brother being here to make me feel better. But it’s too dangerous.

“I’m too close to the clubhouse, you coming here would put you at too much risk,” I tell him.

“When’s that ever stopped me?” He laughs and I feel a smile tug on my lips despite how sad I’m feeling.

“C’mon, let’s figure this out, little sis. I promise that I had no idea when I stormed in there today how you were feelin’. I thought they were keepin’ you against your will and that I was saving you.” He laughs to himself again. “I can’t say I’m happy about what I’m hearin’, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not still gonna look out for you.”

“Fine, I’ll text you the address,” I say goodbye and hang up the phone. The guy I saw today in the clubhouse was nothing like the Kane I remember, he’s turning into one of them and maybe this is my last chance to save him.

Iget back to my hut and tear the place up in anger, throwing over the coffee table and sliding everything off the kitchen side. Gripping the edge with both my hands I finally take a breath. I wanna hate her for her deception, but all I can think about is the fact I just sent her off in that death trap of a car, with her rapist still somewhere out there. I don’t doubt that part of Peyton's story. You can’t fake the cold sweats that girl had some nights while she was lying next to me.

But the Reapers. The fuckin’ Reapers. How could I have been so stupid? I put my fist through one of the cupboard doors in front of me outta frustration.

This only proves what an idiot I can be, how if I want something bad enough I’ll believe anything. I take the ring out of my pocket that I was gonna give her at the fundraiser today.

Sure, it’s only been a few weeks, but in those few weeks, Peyton turned my life around. She made me excited to build a future here and it was all based on lies and deception. I toss the thing across the room and slump myself into the kitchen chair, scrubbing my hand over my face, needing to make someone fucking hurt for the pain she’s put inside me.

I open my eyes when I hear that familiar squawking sound and see the raven she’s been taking such good care of, hopping up onto the table in front of me. It’s hard to believe that someone who was so kind and nurturing could cause so much damage and I wish Peyton could understand the pain she’s caused me.

---