Page 15 of All Our Ghosts

“I’ll let you get some rest.” he says, pulling out his phone. “Put your number in here and I’ll text you so you have mine in case you need anything. I’ll be at the club house tonight, if you want to stop in.”

"Thanks, Cole." I take his phone from him and save my number before handing it back. He sends me a quick text before shoving his phone back into his pocket. "Really... for everything. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he says with that soft gentle smile that I have become accustomed to. "Have a good night Kadence." Cole gives me a nod, shifting around me, and moves to the door.

"You too."

He gives me one last smile before shutting the door behind him. The few things I had in my arms I set down on the smalltable before collapsing on the edge of the bed. I bounce a few times to test it out. It's soft and doesn't feel like it's going to kill my back by morning. Another thing I'm grateful for.

I do a check to make sure the door to the apartment is locked before changing and settling into the bed. It doesn't take long for my eyes to grow heavy. The combination of the warm blankets and the chilled air from the air conditioning has me giving into the sleep I need but am constantly in fear of.

I roll over onto my side, my eyes springing open. That tight feeling is back in my chest and it feels like my heart is going to burst. Reaching for my phone and almost blinding myself with the screen light I check the time. 12:23 am. With a groan I toss the phone onto the pillow next to me and roll onto my back. I hate this time of night. The in-between of being asleep and waking up from whatever horror my mind has already blocked out before I either fall asleep again or lie awake and make friends with the ceiling tiles.

I sit up and lean against the headboard, pulling my hair back into a bun, and try to calm my nerves. The door to the apartment swings open suddenly, slamming against the wall and startling me. A chorus of giggles and moans follow and I fly out of the bed, scrambling for my phone, as a man and woman fumble their way into the room.

"Hey!" I yell through the rushing sound of my heartbeat in my ears, just hoping to get their attention off of each other as pieces of clothing start getting tossed onto the floor.

The two jump and pull away from each other, the man pushing the already half-naked woman behind him. His long, darkchestnut hair is messy on one side giving light to the sharpness of his jawline in the glow of moonlight filtering through the window. Bright blue eyes connect with mine, and for a moment, I'm stunned by how light they actually are in the dark.

“Who the fuck are you?” His voice is harsh and smoky as it fills the room and his brows furrow. The woman behind him peeks around his shoulder, glaring at me with smoked-out eyes and a snarl adorned with red lipstick.

I narrow my eyes at him. Noticing the motorcycle cut I stand up a little straighter and the death grip I have on my phone eases briefly. "Don't be rude," I snap, and the corners of his mouth quirk up slightly. "Cole said I could stay here."

The man takes a step forward and instinctively I take a step back, pressing my body further into the corner. "Yeah? Well I know Cole and he doesn't let just anyone stay here. So I ask again, who the fuck are you?" He snarls, taking another step towards me.

"Nash, who is this bitch?" The woman speaks up, folding her arms over her chest like I've done something wrong.

"I don't know either of you, so back the fuck off."

"That's the problem, Sweetheart," he coos sarcastically. "We don't know who the fuck you are either."

I glance down at my phone quickly trying to find Cole's number but my fingers are trembling. A second passes and I find him, dialing the number just as my phone is ripped from my hand and tossed to the bed. "Who the fuck are you?" He barks.

My entire body freezes ready for whatever beating I’m about to receive from this man. I hate that my body starts to shrink in on itself as I stare at eyes made of blue fire.

"Holden!" The woman snaps and he turns so fast it makes my head spin and has me sinking to the floor. That familiar gut-wrenching fear creeps through me.

"Shut the fuck up, Layla, and go get Cole!"

Layla's face drops at the tone in his voice before she snatches her shirt off of the ground. "You're an asshole, Nash!" She screeches before stomping down the stairs.

When he turns back and realizes I’m on the floor, his eyes go wide, and he takes a step back from me. His chest is heaving with heavy breaths, and his fists are clenched. "What is your name?"

I don't answer. I can't. Tears are burning in my eyes and I feel myself slip into that same dark space I always did when Jeremy got loud.

"Kadence!" Cole's voice cuts through the tension and I can make out his footsteps as he barges into the apartment and shoves past Holden before kneeling in front of me. "You okay?"

I'm still frozen, and even when he tries to help me stand up, my legs feel like molasses.

"Who the fuck is she?" Holden snaps.

Cole turns on him, a firm grip on my arm. "What the fuck are you doing here, Nash?"

Holden... or Nash, I'm not even sure at the moment, is shooting a glare in my direction. Those blue eyes darken and his fists are balled at his sides. I recognize that dark look all too well.

"Was bringing Layla up here and found her." He tilts his head to the side with a wolfish grin forming across his lips while his eyes trail down my body. "I didn't realize you were taking in strays, O'Neil," he quips and any fear I had in me quickly dissipates with anger.

"I'm not a fucking stray," I bite, but it only makes him chuckle.