Page 10 of Blood

“Come lie down for a minute.” He guides me to his bed and pulls back the duvet. “Rest.”

“I need to go to Mom’s.”

“I’ll go check in on her,” he assures me, helping me onto the mattress and covering me with the duvet.

“Are you sure?” Bear and my mother have never gotten along. Their personalities clash in every way.

“Just rest.” I watch him leave then turn to stare up at the ceiling. Thoughts barrage into my mind. Harley looking up at Callan’s beautiful face while his hands tighten around her throat. The people in each picture take his place as her murderer, until it’s me looking down at her with my hands around her small neck. I snatch up the pillow, throw it over my face, and scream into it until my throat gives out and exhaustion leaves me numb.

Sleep evades me, but I lie there anyway with my body frozen, my mind whirling, my soul broken. The clock on the bedside table ticks like a bomb.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

* * *

Dawn breaks. The sun seeps through the small window, causing a halo of light to dance above the bed. Dust particles float endlessly through the rays. It’s calming.

Pushing myself upright, my bones protest. I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. My long hair is in tangles that hang in clumps down my shoulders. I need a shower and a change of clothes. I brush my fingers through my hair the best I can and splash cold water on my face in Bear’s bathroom. The green of my eyes seems more vibrant against the dark circles sitting beneath them peering back at me in the mirror.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and head toward the main room. Typically, the club is a graveyard until noon, but today everyone seems to be up.

“Princess.” Jenna says my name so quietly, like I’ll splinter into pieces if she raises her voice. A fragile vase to be handled with care. “Suppliers are due in a couple hours.” She chews on her lip, wearing the same clothes as last night. She probably stayed in Tyler’s bed. He sure as shit didn’t come looking for me.

“Fuck off, Barbie. Don’t bother her with that shit.” Tyler barks, like my thoughts conjured him. Strong arms fold over my shoulders from behind, wrapping against my chest. Tyler’s torso warms my back, but it offers no comfort.

“Sorry, I’ll see what I can have canceled.” She dips her head, submissive to his treatment.

“Thanks,” I call out to her back as she hurries off. I don’t know who’s more relieved the wedding won’t go ahead: her or me.

Me.

“How are you feeling?” Tyler whispers, tightening his hold.

“Like my sister was murdered and no one cares.”

A heavy sigh heats my ear. “Babe, that’s not fair. Harley was one of us.”

Was she? It doesn’t feel that way. Has he forgotten what these bastards did to our fathers? What retribution was there then?

“Stop wearing him like a jacket. You’re not supposed to see each other until the vows.” Meredith, Tyler’s mother, scorns, coming through the main entrance with her hands full of boxes. “You look dreadful.” Her black brows shoot toward her bleach-blonde hairline.

“Mom, we need to talk.” Tyler unfurls his arms and drops a kiss on the top of my head before guiding his mother toward the kitchen.

At least Harley’s death saved me from the wedding.

I hate myself for thinking it, but the thought manifests all the same.

CHAPTER4

ANGER

Zombie. That’s how I’d describe who I’ve been for the last two weeks. I’m exposed, skin flayed, nerves bare. This shouldn’t be the order of things. Mom’s face is etched with lines. She can’t bear to look up from her shoes. An enormous picture of Harley is framed and mounted on a stand, staring out at everyone crammed inside the church. My black dress is suffocating. The heels are too high, too fucking formal. Harley would hate this. I need to get out of here. The closed coffin covered in red flowers makes me want to retch. She’s inside there, decaying.

Kicking off my shoes, I tear the ridiculous flower Mom asked me to wear from my hair and march outside with Tyler on my heels.

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