Page 28 of Ruckus

“I asked if Aaron knows you went back?” Eden asks again.

“I don’t know, I guess that depends on whether Vike told him or not.” My eyes immediately go back to the couch where that bitch has her hands all over him. She hasn’t got his attention though, that's all mine, and I hate that I’m letting him see how bothered I am by what’s happening in front of me. I was harsh with him outside, but I had to be, he kept on pushing me for answers that I don’t want to give. So in the end I gave him one I knew would hurt him. I wasn’t prepared for how he’d react. I’m not prepared for any of this

“It was a dangerous thing to do, even with Vike,” Peyton adds, taking a sip from her drink and looking over to where her boyfriend is standing with my brother. “And Vike should have known better,” she adds

“You can’t blame Vike, he was misled,” Alicia points out, giving me a judgy little side glance.

“None of you girls should be going anywhere without a chaperone.” Anita, who has a room on the same floor as I do, lifts her head up from her crocheting. “There's a murderer on the loose,” she reminds us.

Anita’s a strange one to make out, Alicia explained earlier that she’s the mother of a member from Colorado, although apparently she’s unaware of the fact her son is a Soul. Aaron busted her out of some upscale psychiatric hospital that was on our father’s payroll, and I’m supposed to believe that there was a time when he loved her. Not that I believe it. The man I knew wasn’t capable of love, but he sure could play at it.

I grew up believing that he cared for me, there was a time when I thought he loved me, but once I reached a certain age I realized that it was all an illusion.

“So what do we know about this killer?” I decide to use the conversation as a diversion to what's happening on the other side of the room.

“Well… whoever they are, they’re targeting young women, and seem to have a vendetta against the club. They go out of their way to make it look as if the club are involved,” Eden points out.

“He usually keeps his victims for a long period of time, tortures them, rapes them. Then once he’s killed, he dumps the bodies somewhere that forces the club to deal with it.” A woman with all different colors in her hair interrupts matter of factly before she sits herself beside me.

“Quinn, this is Freya, Wrath’s sister. Freya meet Quinn, she’s a?—”

“Medical examiner,” Quinn helps Alicia finish her sentence. “Sorry, I’m just so used to people getting that part wrong,” she apologizes to her before turning her attention back to me. “I’m helping the club crack the case.” She sounds pleased with herself.

“Or so she claims, really she’s just here for the big guy at the bar.” Peyton nods her head toward Sasquatch and Quinn doesn’t do a thing to deny it.

“It’s a slow burn.” She rolls her eyes at me.

I look back across the room and see Ruckus on his feet, holding the whore’s hand and leading her to the door. It makes my breath get caught in my throat, and the prickle of tears threaten my eyes, but I don’t look away. I watch him all the way to the door.

“How did you get that cut?” Quinn asks as the door closes.

“The what?”

“On your lip.” She points to it and the table goes awkwardly silent. Alicia and Eden exchange a look, and Peyton takes another drink, while I try to say the words. It’s so stupid because they’re simple, they just won’t come out.

“Her ex-boyfriend hit her,” Anita answers for me, without taking any focus from her crocheting.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Quinn’s smile is full of pity. I shake my head and force a smile for her and everyone else around the table. “It’s fine, that's all behind me now.” I suck in a deep breath. I don’t care about Drew anymore, I’m more concerned about Ruckus and that woman he left with.

I never forgot what it was like with him, and on the nights when Drew wasn’t too pissed and would climb on top of me, it’s those thoughts that got me through. Sometimes when I’d think about it alone, or in the shower, my hands would wander like my mind did.

“So are you sticking around?” Quinn asks.

“Just until I figure out what I want.” I smile, fearing that I already have it figured, anditjust walked out the door with another woman.

I push my bacon around my plate and stare at the door, waiting for them to walk in here together. Her, with a big smile on her face looking all flustered from the morning sex they no doubt had, and him, smug and accomplished in the knowledge that he’s hurt me.

I barely slept all night. At one point I even considered knocking on every motel room door to find the room they were in and demand he talk to me. But it’s clear all our talkin’ was done. I hurt him last night so he hurt me. All I can do now is move past it.

“You gonna eat that?” Alicia asks, staring down at my bacon.

“Alicia, I can make you more breakfast,” Polly offers, blowing her cigarette smoke in a different direction.

“I’m fine, honestly,” she refuses, but I can tell she’s tempted though.

“I remember that phase you're at, when I was carrying Sonny, I wanted to eat everything in sight.” Polly laughs.

“Where is Sonny?” I suddenly realize that I haven’t seen him since I’ve been back, and when Polly’s eyes instantly drop to the table and Alicia cringes, I know straight away that I’ve said something wrong.

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