Page 37 of Brick

No one moves. No one chases after Daly to retaliate. We are all standing there, listening to the pain gush out of Luna as she rocks her now-dead sister in her arms.

There's nothing I can do. I can't take this pain away, no matter how badly I want to.

Tears burn the back of my eyelids, and for the first time in years, I feel like I'm about to lose it emotionally.

I was sure that we would have this in the bag. That Daly would realize he was outnumbered and try to bargain with us. Instead, he pulled a fast one on us. On me.

"Brick, we need to move." Hook leans forward and whispers in my ear.

I know it's the truth. There's no telling what Daly is going to do now. His plan is no longer viable, and I'm sure he's about ready to take his fight to his real target, the rest of the Seven-oh-Sevens. That could mean there are people ready to come for us too.

Slowly, I crawl over to where Luna is and wrap my arms around her.

"No, no! It's not over. She's not dead! She's just sleeping. Help me, Brick!" Luna turns her eyes on me, and it kills me to watch the panic and anguish settling deep in those beautiful hazel orbs.

"I'm so fucking sorry. I'm sorry," I whisper over and over as I continue to try and pull her away from her sister.

"No!" Luna rages and smacks me hard in the face once and then in my chest. She swings over and over, hitting me everywhere she can reach. I turn my face, but that's the most I do. If it makes her feel better, she can beat me to a pulp.

"Please. Oh God, please." Her hits hold no weight to them, and soon she's collapsing against my chest.

I hold her tight and kiss the top of her head. "It's over now. She's gone," I whisper as I feel Luna's body wracked in sobs.

Slowly, I get to my feet, pulling Luna with me. I've got to get her out of here. I've got to get her away from this mess.

I turn my head to Hook and Semi.

"We got it, brother. Get her home safe." Neither of them has to be told what to do right now. They know I can't handle it. I can't be the leader they need me to be right now.

Slowly, Luna's sobs stop until, as we are walking to my bike, she is completely quiet. My girl isn't here right now. She's lost in the memory of what just happened.

I get Luna back on my bike, this time putting her in front of me in case she loses her grip and falls. I want to be there to catch her. As we speed down the roads back to the clubhouse, I fight for the right things to say, but I come up empty.

There's nothing I can do.

My helplessness nearly suffocates me.

I've seen people killed before, but I've never seen anything like this. Never felt anything like this.

Once I make it back home, I do a quick check around the area just to make sure Daly hasn't shown up. I don't want to be caught off guard again.

Thankfully, everything looks clear.

Slowly, I walk Luna into my room and sit her down on the bed.

The same bed where just hours ago we were ravaging each other, and I was losing all my cares in her body.

It feels like forever that the both of us are there in total silence. It’s breaking me down. I’m supposed to be the leader of this club, but right now, I’m lost.

For once, I need someone else to take the lead, to shine a light in the direction I need to go. I know I shouldn’t, but I look to Luna.

"What can I do, Luna? Tell me what you need." I kneel in front of her and try to get her eyes to focus on me. She finally looks up, but I can see she's still not all with me. A lonely tear streaks down her flushed face. I want to kiss it away, but I don’t dare. Now isn’t the time.

I’m not sure she’ll ever want me to touch her again. In fact, I’m not sure how she’s even tolerating being in the same room as me.

"I need my sister. Can you do that?" Her words croak through her raw throat.

I drop my head, knowing what she's asking is impossible.

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