Page 68 of Burning Truths

West places his palm against my lower back to steady me on my way up the old wooden stairs of the Basement. Oakley and Haven’s voices travel up from behind me with their conversations about the party above us. I’m guessing they plan on hanging around for a little after the beating party and the image of Oakley below me bleeding brings a smirk to my face.

“Easy, Princess. You’re cocky is showing.” West whispers against my ear.

His warm body heats up my chilled one sending a shiver down my spine. When we reach the top of the landing a full blown party is in motion with flashing lights, alcohol, and music. Rubbing my hands up and down my arms to pull in some heat G steps up beside me holding out a black hoodie. Raising an eyebrow my busted and bruised knuckles gladly take the offering slipping the large fabric over my head.

“He wanted me to be prepared.” He winks, walking towards the kitchen.

Biting my bottom lip, West takes his place at my side, nudging me with his broad shoulder.

“We’ll always take care of you, Princess. You have to let us.” His deep brown eyes peer into mine, searing me with the meaning to his comment.

“You want a trust I don’t know if I have anymore.” I murmur.

The music is loud but his eyes watch my mouth reading every word. Nodding his head he looks away a tick in his jaw as he takes my response.

“We all have something to fight for. To earn back.” He says, not asking or telling.

It’s a statement that rings true for us all. I’ve lost so much yet so have they. I’ve killed for them and for myself. From the way people look at us standing in the center of the floor I can gather that they’ve done the same. We have so much to answer for but they’re asking me to stand next to them while we figure it all out. So many questions continue to plow into me but a flash of blue hair from my right grabs my attention. Dainty painted fingernails hold out a red solo cup and a wide smile.

“I owe you one hell of a drink, little sheep.” She says, her tone light.

My gaze rolls over her, taking in the way she cocks her hip, the way her tattoos spread over her pale skin. Oakley is one hell of a beast and I stood my own against her. Taking the cup from her hand I return her smile with a raspy laugh.

“Can’t say it was fun but...” I trail off.

We all let out a laugh and slowly start to shake off the previous bullshit from downstairs. The heat of everyone’s eyes on me still has me on edge but the warmth of the liquor helps settle my stomach. There’s a commotion coming from the kitchen that has me, Oak, and West walking towards the open doorway. I spot Haven and the two other men around a keg placed in the middle of a bare living room ignoring the bodies pressing in closer to them.

I don’t miss the way her eyes land on me and then travel over to West where his hand is placed at my back. It takes effort not to flash her a wink staking my claim on my Stone boys, instead I tip my chin at her in respect. From the corner of my eye West is meeting her glare with a smooth playboy smirk that has his lips tipped in a crooked grin. He knows how to make their legs weak but she doesn’t flinch from the pressure of his stare.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” G barks.

Shoving my way through a group of jock fuckers, I finally break through the crowd to see G closing in on the same redheaded woman from downstairs only this time the man at her side is nowhere to be seen. She sucks the front of her teeth making a show of not being bothered with his proximity. A brave one.

“I’ll let my brother handle that.” She coo’s, patting G on the chest.

He trembles under her touch, a feral animal banging against a cage, his expression threatening. Caging her in against the counter top they continue to go back and forth but their voices lower leaving us out of the conversation. West ushers everyone from the kitchen ordering them to find somewhere else to fuck off. Looking around the dimly lit room my gaze falls on a streak of purple hair, my breath catching in my lungs. Reaching out, my nails dig into flesh, my knees buckling from the onslaught of memories. The taste of acid and betrayal is strong on my tongue.

Wincing, West jerks his arm from my hold, “What the fuck, Kens.” He questions.

He follows my line of sight and tsk, “Later.” He urges.

Shaking my head I ignore him, my feet already in motion, I cross the room before she looks over from the girl she’s talking to. Ally wears a pleated leather skirt that’s barely covering her ass paired with spiderweb stockings and black biker boots. Her hair looks longer but the purple has begun to fade showing thatshe hasn’t colored it in a while. A small part of me recognizes the subtle changes in her appearance but the larger much angrier side shoves it away. Her purple polish nails hold a red solo cup in her hand with a smile painted over her face in mid conversation.

In one swift move I’ve snatched the drink from her hand tossing it back letting the warmth skate down my throat. When her eyes meet mine my fist swings out landing a punch to the side of her face. White noise fills my ears when her wide shocked eyes meet mine but what I see looking back at me has me stumbling back.

“Kenna?” She asks as if she can’t believe I’m here.

“Everyone out.” I garble behind rage.

No one moves. No one breathes. Somehow the music has been shut off and all eyes are on our small group.

“Everyone OUT!” I scream.

All stares shift to G and West watching and waiting to see what they do but when G moves from his place at the counter to stand at my side they all scatter like roaches. The redhead takes the opening and walks out the kitchen but not before blowing G a kiss over her shoulder and flashing me a sneering look. West steps up beside G, his gaze roaming the space around us and then his gaze meets mine. For a split second we both see the same thing. Gio holds more power than we anticipated. Three men step up behind G waiting for an order to fall from the punker’s lips but the most notable change is the placement G chose. G no longer stands behind us instead he’s chosen to step beside us.

A shift in the air has everyone on edge yet I ignore it all to turn back to Ally who has her hand on her red cheek.

“Kenna.” She breathes.

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