Page 18 of Burning Truths

“I’m sorry you got caught up in the middle, but Oakley should have kept her nose out of Kingston business.” I mindlessly run my hand through his stiff hair. Sweat soaked and filthy.

Oakleys blue hair pops into my head, but I shove the image away quicker than it arrives. My thoughts try to betray me even now. The scalpel pressed against his thigh is cold to the touch or maybe I’ve finally lost feeling in my hands. Jax doesn’t flinch when I press it into the junction of his hip, digging so deep I feel the tip hit a bone. Blood pours from the opening, pulling my gaze to the metal table that is now covered, dripping onto the floor.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Look at the mess you’ve caused.

Carving into muscle, my wrist twists and twirls, slowly drawing a picture. All thoughts escape me, my mind free of everything other than the task at hand, unaware of my nextmove until it happens. The beautiful crimson liquid entrancing me in a world of my own making.

“Did you know thattheypromised me to him? Hmmm?”. My hand grows tired, but still I continue anyway. “Yeah, they sold me like some fucking livestock.” A hollow laugh slips past my lips, “I bet Oakley didn’t know that. Or hell, maybe she did. She doesn’t seem like the type of chick to stand by while decisions are made.” I raise an eyebrow, but keep my eyes on the task at hand.

Smacking my lips I let out a dry laugh.

Hank is going to be so proud.

His blue eyes stare at the ceiling. No response. At first I would pray for him to pass out from the pain, even now my heart pinches behind the numb curtain hiding it, but I shove away those feelings.

You can’t feel for those who betray you. No matter how much you wish it wasn’t true.

You enjoy this, don’t you Killer.

My heart skips a beat at the name running through my head.

No. Nope. I’m not going there.

Oh come on, you know it’s fun painting pictures with the blood of those who are traitors.

But was he a traitor or just a pawn in Oakleys games? Slamming the walls down around my heart I block out all feelings. Refusing to let myself ache for anyone else.

Pushing away from the table in my small rolling chair to give myself room to stand, my fingers loosen their grip on the scalpel, letting it fall to the metal table with a clink. The sound bounces around the vacant room causing my eye to twitch. I take stock of my work, waiting for the picture to change into something beautiful, instead I see darkness. The once bright liquid now slowly turns into a deep thick red.

My hands feel sticky, arms heavy, my legs shaky under me. Using the table to steady myself I stand there looking down at Jax, searching for the man who was once my friend. The man who gave me beautiful artwork, creating beautiful pictures across my skin, while I ruined his.

I ruined him.

They ruined him. They did this to you. To us. To Jax.

Biting my bottom lip I give his bloody body a second glance.

Black, blue, red. A rainbow of cruelty that I’ve painted. Hank’s promises ring in my ears, reminding me why Jax had to pay the price of my darkness. The abyss I’ve sank into has to be filled with the ones who claim to be loyal to me. One by one, I’ll use their bodies to climb up from the depths of their betrayal. Slow movements bring me closer to the man lying across the cold metal. Leaning closer, I can see the dried tears that he once let fall.

“Shhh.” I press my chapped lips to his cheek. “I’ll get us out of here soon. Rest for now, I promise he’ll free us when I give him what he craves.”

He’ll never let you go now.

No. No, shut up! He promised me. He’ll set us free.

Swallowing down the lie comes easily. My tongue swipes out to wet my lips when I straighten my back. The sound of the door knob twisting has my legs locking in place. Drawing in a deep breath, I turn just in time to see Hank push open the door.

“Princessa, what a sight you are.” His voice is lighter. Pleased.

My skin tingles with a mixture of pride and disgust, but I don’t let him see the latter on my face. Flashing him a small smile, I take a step toward him without looking back at Jax.

See, I told you. You belong to him now.

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