Page 14 of Mischievous Lies

I throw open the door, my gun aimed at the gloom beyond, only to find a fumbling Billie trying to drag my brother’s dead weight up the stairs.

Everything stops once again.

I can’t… He can’t…

“Little Tornado,” I rasp, a part of me jumping into action while the majority can’t keep up with what’s happening. I grab for my brother, who’s bleeding from his leg and is a sickly, pale color.

I bury all of my demons, doing everything I can to bring my brother back. I’m willing to sell my soul to the devil in exchange for his life. If he’s not here, what purpose do I have? He’s the good one. The reliable one. The likable one.

I carry him across the field, Billie stumbling behind me…

And then I’m haunted by the woman’s eyes—wide and empty. Lifeless.

Her eyes stare at me… haunting me… drowning me…

Killing me slowly.

I’m sucked into a void like quicksand, claws grabbing and dragging me down for what feels like eternity.

I bolt upright with a gasp. I’m panting harshly as I realize I’m in my brother’s home, in his spare room designated for me. Sweat glistens on my chest, and the blankets have been thrown off the bed. I run my hands through my hair, trying to swallow despite my parched mouth.

I close my eyes again, pinching the bridge of my nose, trying to push away the imagery of the dead woman staring back at me. It’s been months since the incident, but lately, these nightmares have worsened.

I roll out of bed and throw on a loose shirt. Checking the time on my phone, I see it’s three in the morning. It’s too early, but I decide to go to my local gym. It’s the only place that makes me feel sane. I have my own gym set up at home, but for some reason, since the nightmares, I’ve been going to a twenty-four-hour one I found.

When I open the bedroom door, a soft meow has me tilting my head down. Felix, a black cat the size of my hand with bright green eyes, stares up at me.

I can’t blame him for begging me for food before Ford and Billie wake up. I eat as much as I can, too, so I always spoil him with an extra serving they don’t know about. I flick on the kitchen light and then give him a serving of food before I grab a protein bar out of the cupboard for myself.

Fuck.

That dream won’t stop haunting me. And though I know my brother isn’t happy about how often I sleep here now, especially on the first night Billie has officially moved in, I can’t help it. I thought here, of all places, would bring me peace. But mydemons have followed me to the one place I thought would be safe.

Being close to my brother was always the one thing that brought me peace.

But even I don’t deserve that now, it seems.

I scratch Felix behind the ear. “Don’t bring in too many mice for Billie. She might actually make you an indoor cat,” I warn him quietly. He’s too preoccupied by his food to acknowledge me. Fuck, it’s bad if even the cat won’t pay me any attention.

I leave the house, focused on the gym. I like being around people. Ford and I only had each other for a long time, and when we were on our own, trying to survive on the streets, we were overlooked. But now I’ve made myself so imposing in size that no one will ever overlook me again.

More importantly, I don’t want to be by myself. I fucking hate it. Especially with these demons in my head.

CHAPTER 10

Ivy

It’s been a week since Dutton’s party and Billie’s moving out, and I just returned from a four-day trip to Miami, where I worked on my tan and had a little fun. Coming home to an empty apartment, I decided to finish up two projects I took on during the week and then found myself bored.

It’s midnight on a Friday night. I’d usually be out partying, but since I spent the last four nights doing exactly that, I don’t feel the urge tonight, despite receiving multiple messages asking where I am from acquaintances who want me to join their party. I tuck my feet under my ass, still wanting to cure my boredom.

I go to the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal and milk, then sit back down at my computer. I push my hair to one side, thinking about a particular rabbit hole I’ve been trying not to fixate on as of late. My friends’ privacy is important to me, and I’d never invade it unless I think it jeopardizes their safety in any way. Although I have the power to hack any of their things, I’ve made a point not to. However, there’s someone I’ve always considered an exception to that rule.Hawke.Because he’d do the same thing to me if he had the ability to hack like I do. Hawke appears easygoing and goofy, but people underestimate his sharp mind.

I bite my bottom lip, my hands moving over the keyboard of their own accord. Maybe a little peek won’t hurt. It’s not the first time I’ve spied on Hawke, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. At this time on a Friday night, he’s probably not even home. He’s most likely either on a job with Eli or partying.

Hawke once let it slip that he had cameras installed both inside and outside his home after Eli officially took over as the boss. I can only imagine their underworld dealings heightened with that change in leadership. He was bragging about installing the best of the best, which I took as a personal challenge to access. It wasn’t a challenge whatsoever.

The first screen I pull up shows his garage. His Range Rover is parked inside, which doesn’t necessarily mean he’s home. I swear the reason he picked that car is because it’s the only one that he fits comfortably in.

---