Page 75 of Psychological War

I had no idea where I planned on going, but with Uncle Walker and Aziza standing over me at every second I barely had time to myself.

“Salem,” Uncle Walker called from the kitchen. I stood there with my hand reaching for the door handle before he yelled, “Get in here now.”

Rolling my eyes, I fought with myself. I could ignore him, and deal with it later. Or never if I just disappeared. Which was looking better and better each moment they were hovering over me.

“Salem?” Aziza whispered from the doorway into the kitchen. Glancing over my shoulder, I wanted so desperately to ask her to look for him. To tell me where he was. But I couldn’t. I was the reason the house got attacked. Why Tobias could’ve been hurt. I shook my head, ready to bolt again.

“Uncle Walker wants to speak with you,” she said, his own personal messenger. “I’m going to head into town for some errands.”

Nodding my head, I moved out of her way. Aziza left without sparing me a second glance. Losing the battle, I slowly made my way into the kitchen, where Uncle Walker stood against the farmhouse sink. His arms crossed over his chest, staring at me like he was ready to beat me.

“You need to snap out of this.” His voice was rough.

Instead of speaking, I rolled my eyes and went to the fridge. Opening it, I grabbed a water bottle. I wasn’t really in the mood for just water. I needed something stronger. But it could be my excuse for why I really came in here.

“Salem!” Walker barked. Turning on my heel I shot him a glare. I didn’t need his attitude. I didn’t need him. I just wanted to be left alone, for everyone to leave me alone. “I’m talking to you. It’s been two fucking months. Grow up,” he growled.

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned back for the front door. I wasn’t going to wait here for him to lecture me on how I had to get over Zane. How I needed to remember what he told me right after the accident. I didn’t care anymore.

“I swear to god, Salem, you walk out that front door, it’s the end,” Walker snapped, following me out to the living room. “Walk out that door and this little revenge path you’re going on will end. I will pack my shit and leave. I will no longer be your uncle and help you.”

Stopping in my tracks, I slowly turned back towards him. Uncle Walker had always been there for me, even before my parents were taken from me. He was my best friend, and now he was giving up on me.But he hasn’t been here.My brain reminded me.

Giving him a smile I inclined my head before turning back for the front door. Stepping out I refused to cry for losing someone else in my life. I rushed to my SUV, getting in. I didn't feel as I drove from the driveway. I wouldn’t let someone else hurt me.

I didn’t cry when they tried to kill me.

I didn’t cry when Zane left.

I wouldn’t cry now.

29

Aziza

ErrandsinNewYork.

I was tired, cranky, and really hungry by the time I pulled up to the house Killian bought. I had left home nine hours ago and now I was pulling into his driveway. I knew they were here. I just had no idea how any of them would feel about me being here.

It’s for Salem.

I had to remind myself. She was worth it. She was worth it all.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I climbed out of my car and went to the front door. Knocking a few times, I waited about two seconds before ramming the key into the lock and opening the door myself. Stepping inside I didn’t bother looking around. Instead I followed to the back of the house where I assumed the kitchen was.

What I hadn’t been expecting was Zane holding a gun to my left the moment I stepped inside the kitchen. Killian sat at the kitchen table with Mila and Tobias. Dimitri was standing behind Mila, his hands on her shoulders. It was almost adorable the way he cared. I just couldn’t find it in myself to care for Dimitri.

“What are you doing here?” Zane growled, the gun still raised at my head.

“Zane put the gun down,” I answered back, not looking away from Killian. I knew he was trying to find me. He had been since he’d left the hospital. I just couldn’t be with him. He broke me. He was also doing whatever Dimitri wanted.

“I won’t ask again—”

“Zane put your fucking gun down!” Killian barked. Everyone but me jumped a bit from the force of his words.

Slowly Zane lowered his gun, but not before growling like a damn animal at me. Looking at him over my shoulder, I took in the dark circles under his eyes, and the dark, longer than normal, beard. His clothes were even wrinkled. The other thing was Salem's name tattooed along his hand.

“Aziza, it’s good to see you.” Mila smiled brightly at me. I wanted to be happy to see her, but I couldn’t. They were all controlled by Dimitri. He was a serious problem.

---