Page 53 of Scorching Lies

Throwing the blanket on the floor, I free my legs fully and scoot to the edge of the bed. The IV pulls, but I’m numb to the tubing that tries to rip from my flesh. The real agony is in my soul. My pride demolished into a puddle of tears and crimson. My ribs ache, the organ in my chest screams, even when a deep part of myself rejoices. Screaming in victory. Finally.

Pulling the IV towards me I stand, my legs weak, I walk to the nightstand and grab a single flower. Lifting the burnt orange lily to my nose I inhale. Flashes of that day in the garden rush through my head, flying off the tracks crashing into everything. Taking out everyone in its path. We are pure destruction, but the damage is done. Sitting the flower down on the table, my fingers pinch the single piece of paper, turning it over to check the back before slowly opening it and revealing the note.

Remember, even bathed in ashes the phoenix rises.

Rise and show us your fire. My demons will always search out yours.

Take care of what’s mine, Killer. See you soon.

Behind the note is a bottle of Ibuprofen and tattoo care cream. He also left me antibacterial soap for the cleaning process. Snatching up the soap I walk around the bed to nudge the sleeping body with my toes. Groaning meets my ears.

“What?” A groggy voice says.

Confusion hits me first, then the voice registers and anger follows after.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I snap.

Ally’s head pops from under the blanket with squinted eyes. My blackout curtains were left open last night, the sun beaming directly into the room.

“Dear god, Kens. Close the fucking curtains.” She moans.

She starts to pull the blanket back over her head when I kick the leg of her chair. She snaps her head back my way, hazel eyes glaring into mine.

“What. The. Fuck?” I question.

Making sure to drag out each word my brows raise, waiting for her to explain. I know I changed the damn locks.

Sighing, she rest her forehead against her arm, eyes closed, she shakes her head.

“Kens, you were shot. What did you expect?” Her voice is low.

I can hear the fear and concern in her voice, but I’m not budging. She gave the Stone brothers information about me. Putting those puzzle pieces together finally had it clicking in my head. Why would she always bring West around me knowing our history? Asking so many questions about my past, my father, and even the brothers. She’s always been nosey, but now I know why. She was using me to feed them information. She knew my schedule, where I was going, when I would be home. Is that how Ryker always knew how to find me? It had to be.

“Ally, I changed the locks for a reason. Unless you’re here to pack up your shit, you’ve wasted your time.”

Moving to walk past her, she reaches out and grabs my wrist. Pausing for a split second her hand falls from my arm.

“Let me explain. There is so much more you don’t understand!”

Spinning to fully face her, Ally stands up to meet my stare, her eyes wide.

“You’re right! I don’t understand how my BEST friend could sell me out. How you could spy on me for the one family that wanted to hurt me? Truly hurt me.”

Tears are falling. The physical and mental pain mix together as the events of the last few days flood my mind. Being strong doesn’t mean I won’t break, it just means I’ll stand back up. Right now I’m falling and no one is here to catch me on my way down.

“I’ve been shot, Ally. I’ve been...” I trail off.

Swiping angrily at the wetness trailing down my face, I shake my head and storm out the room. The IV pole being drug behind me, my frustration has me yanking it from my arm and flinging it into the wall.

Turning my head I leave her with my last words, “I want you out of here, Ally.”

Leaving her in my room, I head to the bathroom to clean myself up. My hair is crusted together with brownish red dried blood. Curling my nose at the sight looking back at me, I get to work cleaning up. It takes almost an hour with one arm, no way to fully shower, and no help, but still I ignore Ally when she steps into the bathroom.

“Kenna, please.”

Her words crack, I turn from the bathroom mirror to find her waiting on me, her eyes watering. It feels like I’ve been lost in a dream for weeks and I’m just waking up. Just seeing the sky for the first time. Attempting to shoulder past her, she pushes herway in front of me, her gaze rolling over me, checking for god knows what.

“What? Hoped he did more damage?”

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