Page 12 of Brick

Nothing but darkness surrounds me, and in an instant, I'm transported back to the drug den I went searching for my sister. My teeth begin to chatter, but I clamp my jaw down hard to stop it from making any sound. This isn't the first time I've had to look for my sister in some skeevy places, and I don't think it'll be the last. Still, my adrenaline from everything that went on today has plummeted, and all I can think about is how close I came to losing my life.

Why, though?

Why was someone at my place?

Why did my sister have to be the way she is?

Why can't all this be easier?

"Are you okay?" Brick grumbles from way over on the other side of the bed.

"Mm-hmm." I don't dare open my mouth to speak. I'm sure he'd be able to hear the lie before it even passed my teeth.

I force my eyes closed, trying to push the frightening thoughts out of my mind, but the darkness of the room weighs heavily on me. It feels like there's someone hiding in every corner. My eyes burst back open, and I try to acclimate to the fact that there's no light. I scan the room the best I can, but it's no use.

"Luna." Brick grumbles again.

I can't hold back; it's too much. Too dark.

"I can't see anything. It's too dark. Some light... please." I hate the vulnerability in my voice, but it's clear.

"Shit, hold on." Brick jumps out of bed, and I hear him padding over to the window. He pulls back the curtain, and heavenly moonlight comes spilling into the room.

It's like he opened the floodgates on my emotions. The second I can see my surroundings, I can't hold in my despair. I curl into myself and tremble hard. Sweat beads on my brow, and it feels as if I'm coming apart at the seams.

"Damn it, sweetness. Why won't you just let me take care of you?" He rushes to get back under the covers before turning me toward his body and wrapping his arms around me.

I look up at him and see the sincerity in his eyes. But how many times have I been tricked before? How many times have I thought that Wendy was telling me the truth, only to find out it had all been a lie?

I'm not made to be vulnerable. I've never had the opportunity.

"I don't know how," I reply honestly, and I watch a soft smirk crawl up his face before he shakes his head and kisses my forehead.

That one motion is enough for me to let go completely.

I snuggle closer to him and just let him hold me tight.

I'm safe. At least, while I'm in his arms, I know I don't have to be strong anymore.

Six

Brick

That wasthe best sleep I've had in ages.

After being locked up, I didn't think I'd like to have to share my space again, but last night, just sleeping with Luna in the bed with me put me to sleep like a baby. Of course, there were other things I wanted to do besides sleep, but I didn't push my luck. She was absolutely beside herself with anxiety. I know that feeling, too.

I know what it's like to feel like people are coming for you from every corner. In fact, it was one of the main reasons I started up the Brutal Chains MC. It's a place where those who have everything going against them can know there are other people around who will have their back. One of the main rules on the prison yard is never go into a fight alone. Solidarity is the key to getting yourself killed.

I wish she would have let me take care of her more, and part of me is concerned as to why that is. I've never wanted to care forsomeone before outside of my family and my club, so why now and why her? It's like she was put on this earth to irritate and challenge me. Nothing about Luna is easy, and I don't think that fact is ever going to change with her.

I can feel the sun heating up the room, and I flip back the covers so I can cool down. I wonder if Luna is feeling as uncomfortable now as I am. Reaching over to find her in the large bed, it doesn't take long for me to realize that she's not here with me. My eyes pop open, and sure enough, the other side of the bed is empty.

"Shit," I mutter before jumping out of the bed, grabbing for my pants and rushing out of my room. I don't know where she is, but if she's tried to go home and find her sister without telling me, I'm going to be pissed the hell off. I don't know what the hell went down last night, but I know it's not safe for her to be out looking on her own.

"Uh, hey, Prez... something you want to tell us?" Light asks as he watches me skid to a stop in the main room.

My eyes settle on the raven-haired beauty sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee in her hand. She's swarmed by my members. All of them have calm, pleasant looks on their faces, but I know what they are doing. They're making sure she doesn't move around within the compound. She's not even supposed to be here.

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