Page 14 of Stitches

I pulled back into Chapel Crest and got out. Stitches followed with Ashes bringing up the rear, a sleepy Sirena tucked under his arm as she stumbled along beside him.

When we got into the house, I watched Ashes led her to his bedroom.

“Asher,” I called out, my throat tight.

He paused for a moment before he said something into Sirena’s ear. He released her, and she continued to his room. When she was gone, he finally turned to me.

“She’s sleeping with me tonight,” he said firmly. “We had a good day today. I want it to extend through the night so tomorrow is good too.”

“You don’t get all her good days,” I snapped.

“No, but I get this one,” he replied. “I’m not above fighting you for her tonight, Dante.”

“You like her bad days best anyway,” Stitches commented ,flopping down on the couch and grabbing the remote. “Let him take her tonight.”

I narrowed my eyes at Ashes and breathed out the best steady breath I could manage.

“She’s happy. Let her be,” Ashes said. “Please. I’m happy too, all things considered.”

I gave him a tight nod and backed away. The tension visibly left him, and he offered me that fucking gentle smile of his before leaving to go to his bedroom.

Sighing, I went to sit in my chair, watching in silence for a long time while Stitches cycled through channels.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened in the med ward?” I asked, my attention on the TV.

“No.”

“Malachi—”

“Stop fucking asking me, Dante,” he snapped, throwing the remote onto the cushion and getting to his feet. “I said I’m not fucking interested in talking about it, OK? Shit was fucked up. I’m dealing with it, so just let it go.”

I rose to meet his stance. “I care. We’re brothers—”

“We are, but I’m just not ready, man. Please. I’m asking you as my brother to just stop, OK? I have a lot of shit I need to sort through in my head. It’s going to take me some time. Can I please have that?” He gave me a desperate look, his dark hair a mess from his fingers tugging at it.

“Ashes has been practically inseparable from Sirena,” I said softly. “You tried to kill yourself because you thought we were losing her, and now you won’t even look at her.” I fixed my gaze on him. “I’m more than a little concerned.”

He shook his head before looking away, a soft sigh leaving his mouth. “We both know it just means there’s more for you. Sin is gone. I’m. . . working things out. You just have Ashes to deal with. So deal with him and leave me alone.” He left the room without another word, and I let him.

I knew I needed to stop pushing him, but I was frustrated too. I wanted answers. It seemed like all I did lately was lurk in the background of all our problems. I hadn’t done shit to work things out when Specter and Stitches were locked away. Not when my father got involved. Not when Asylum did.

I was pissed. Confused. Angry. I was used to being in charge and handling shit. Lately, I’d been on the back burner just trying to fucking survive.

I hated it.

Loathed it.

I reached over and turned the TV off and went upstairs where I showered and got ready for bed. Then I lay there for hours, lost in my thoughts and hating that my bed was cold because my specter wasn’t in it.

Hating that I felt like a helpless piece of shit. That I felt weak. Worthless. Not in control.

I was always in fucking control. I was the leader. A boss. It was what I was bred for. I had the emotional, mental, and physical scars to prove it.

I ground my teeth together and glared at my ceiling, the shadow of a branch outside dancing against the dim moonlight shining through my window.

The clock read three in the morning.

The witching hour, so they said.

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