Page 108 of Love and Memories

“And you threw that phone off a bridge,” Camille said matter-of-factly. “By the way, that was a good move in the moment. Also, the fact that you have not been allowed to have any updated identification is a sign of abuse.”

A loud shout from the hallway caught their attention. It was a woman. An irate woman.

“You have to do something! She killed my brother!”

Bella’s grip on the arm of the chair tightened. The cold metal bit into her palms.

Camille rested a hand on Bella’s shoulder. “Don’t get up. She doesn’t know you’re here.”

Bella sucked in a ragged breath. That woman. All her rage and anger. What would she do if Chloe found her?

Probably the same thing the club would do. Bella was a dead woman. She’d given up all of her chances when she killedGunner. She’d foolishly thought she could leave it behind if she could get far enough away.

Now, she was a Christian. She knew what she’d done, and she couldn’t continue walking around like nothing had happened. Turning herself in was the only option she could fathom.

So, she’d never had a chance. She’d been doomed from the start.

Camille wrapped her arms around Bella and squeezed. “Everything is going to be okay. I won’t give up. You have to trust me.”

“I do,” Bella whispered against her friend’s hair. “I’m just scared.”

“Rightfully so, but you’re not alone. You will always have people who are here for you.”

There was a small knock on the door, and it opened. Asa stuck his head into the room. “Someone is here to see you.”

Bella froze, gripping Camille’s arm.

“It’s okay. It’s Travis,” Asa clarified.

Oh no. His shift wasn’t over yet. What was he doing here?

“I called him,” Asa said.

“And I called Noah. He went in to finish Travis’s shift,” Camille added, clasping Bella’s hand and lifting her to her feet.

Dread sat heavy in her gut. What could she possibly say to him? He’d been so patient as her memories returned, and now he was going to get the biggest slap in the face. All of his protection was in vain. The only person she needed protecting from was herself. She’d done this. She’d paved this road, and now she had to stay on it.

Without him.

Camille pulled Bella close to whisper, “He’s here for you. You can trust him.”

“Not after this. What if he thinks I knew all along and used him? What if he actually sees me for what I am—a murderer?”

Camille’s eyes narrowed, and a crease formed between her brows. “Stop that. If anyone understands tough decisions, it’s Travis. It’s like you don’t know him at all.”

“I do, but–”

“But you aren’t giving him enough credit. Stop assuming and talk to him,” Camille demanded.

Ugh. She was right. Travis was too good for his own good. He’d stand by her through anything, even if it meant sacrificing.

She couldn’t let him do that. Not for her. Not when neither of them had known what was at stake from the start.

Camille grabbed both of Bella’s hands and lifted them between their chests. “We’re going to pray, and you’re going to give it all to God. Deal?”

Bella chuckled a little. “I can see why you’re such a great mother.”

Camille bowed her head over their hands. “God, I know You’re here with us, but Bella needs to be reminded. I pray that You would calm her heart and give her strength. You are the King of all kings, and You save us when we can’t save ourselves. You’re the Father of forgiveness, and we bow humbly to You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.”

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