Page 15 of Blood & Ash

I fire off a text, telling her we need to talk.

Just the two of us.

Chapter Seven

“Who put you up to this bullshit?” I loom over Shelby, holding onto the last shred of control I have left. Right now, all I want to do is wrap my hands around her throat and choke her until her eyes pop out of their sockets. Looking into her eyes, it’s hard to imagine her as a killer.

We share a lot of history.

Was each other’s first everything.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Why is that?”

“Ask yourself who didn’t show tonight. I know I fucked up and nothing I can say or do will ever make up for what I did.”

“You’re right. It won’t.”

“I’m not lying about the baby, Blood. I swear.”

I shake my head. “I’ll make you a deal. You tell me the truth and it checks out. I’ll let you live on one condition.”

“I’ll do anything.”

“You’ll take care of yourself until this baby is born and if it’s my old man’s or mine, you’ll give me the kid and leave town.You’ll stay away. You won’t contact me. The kid. Not a soul in this town will utter your name and you will forget we exist.”

Mascara streaked tears race down her cheeks. “What about my sister?”

“I’ll make sure she has whatever she needs.”

“I can’t cut her off.”

“You don’t. You’ll be signing her death sentence because I promise you, if anyone hears from you, it’ll be the last time for both you and them.”

“I know you’re angry.”

“Angry!” I roar, spit spraying across her face. “You ripped out my goddamn heart. You nearly destroyed everything I love. You murdered my father. And Goose? What did he ever do besides show you kindness and keep your fucking secret? My old man wasn’t enough. Had to take his too. You disgust me. Looking at you makes me want to throw up.”

“So what? You want me to hand my baby over to the woman responsible for all of this to raise like she did you?”

“You saying Momma Tee orchestrated this?”

“They threatened Ashley. Marty has friends he said would pay him for the privilege to rape and murder her. I was scared, and I didn’t think you’d believe me. I wasn’t going to go through with any of it, I swear. I wanted to tell you, but then Ashley told me about this black SUV that had been following her home from school.”

“You better not be making this shit up.”

“Who didn’t show tonight? I did knowing you hate me and will always hate me. And that you might kill me for being here. Momma Tee and Marty are probably already on his boat setting off for who knows where.”

Pulling out my burner, I dial Goose on his. “You find him?”

“House is empty.”

“He’s with Momma Tee. Check his boat.”

“Momma Tee?”

“Yeah. You know what to do.” I end the call.

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