Page 58 of Pit

I wake with a start and sit bolt upright. The bed is empty and panic fills me as I push to stand. King is at the French door whimpering, and I make out her figure standing on the balcony. “Easy,” I whisper, stroking King’s head. “Go lie down.” And he does.

I slide the door open and step out. “It’s cold out here,” I say, pulling off my shirt. I place it over her shoulders, and she takes the edges and pulls it around herself. “Couldn’t sleep?”

She shakes her head. “Yet I’m so tired.”

“I can ask the doc for some sleeping tablets?”

She shakes her head. “No, I don’t want to face the nightmares.”

“You can’t stay awake forever,” I say with a small smile. “How about I lay beside you?” She’s already staring at me in horror, and I hold my hands up, feeling like a dick. “I didn’t mean . . .” I sigh heavily. “I sleep better when you’re beside me,” I admit. “I thought it might help. I didn’t mean anything.”

Her expression relaxes and tears fill her eyes. “See what they’ve done, making me think everyone wants one thing?”

“You’ve been to hell and back,” I say, “and I haven’t helped in that.”

“Being with them almost made me thankful for being with you.” She scoffs. “How fucked-up is that? I went from one prison to another.”

“If I could take it back . . .” I mutter, gripping the rail tightly.

“Maybe I can get my old job back,” she says, staring out into the night sky.

“What did you do?”

She smiles. “I was just a receptionist, nothing special.”

“Hey, don’t put yourself down,” I scold. “Every job is important.”

“They’ve probably hired someone now anyway.”

“I could ask around, see if the club needs anyone.”

She laughs, but it’s empty. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“We’re not bad,” I say, wincing. “At least, they’re not.”

“Axel told you to take me and keep me locked up while he cut a deal.”

“He was protecting the club.”

“I guess it’s hard to see any wrongdoing when you’re in his protected circle.”

“Ask Lexi or Luna, even Gemma. They all had some kind of run-in with the club. Lexi and Gemma were coppers trying to take us down.”

“They crossed the club,” she snaps, “I didn’t.”

“You’re right,” I say, nodding. “But after everything, they stayed and became part of the club. Would they do that if it was so bad?”

She rolls her eyes. “I can’t stand here while you tell me how wonderful your precious club is. Not after everything.”

“Where will you go when you leave?” I demand.

“I have no idea, but anywhere away from here.” And she heads back inside.

Chapter Fifteen

Tessa

Two days have passed and I haven’t mentioned leaving again. I’m a hypocrite, I know it, but the thought of stepping outside these walls and into the unknown is scary. So, when Pit comes into the room holding out some new trainers for me, I eye them warily. “Put these on.”

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