Page 66 of Bittersweet Revenge
“You’ve done nothing but love and protect me my whole life. I’m the one who almost drank something from a stranger. I’m the one who thought I could do this. All you have ever done is be here for me.”
I shush her as she cries, kiss her temple, run my hand through her hair, wondering how the hands that just took a life so easily could be the same ones that bring her comfort.
“We need to get cleaned up and go,” I tell her after a few minutes. It’s not smart to stay any longer than we have to.
Aislin nods.
“You go first.”
She heads into the bathroom, where we each have a change of clothes. As I make my way to the back, I text Conan, letting him know it’s done.
Conan: Be there in an hour.
Me: We’ll be gone by then.
Conan: Anything I need to know?
Me: I think we’re good.I almost hit Send but then add:Thank you.
Conan: No problem, kid.
“She do it?” Rory asks when I get outside.
“Nah.”
“Good.” He takes a hit from his vape.
“Agreed. Come on. Let’s get cleaned up and get the fuck out of here.”
He follows me back into the house. Aislin is already out of the restroom when we get there. “I’ll wait in the car.” She doesn’t look toward Michael Jensen’s bloody, dead body, and I’m glad for that.
It doesn’t take Rory and me long to each take a quick shower and put our clothes in a bag for Conan and then for the three of us to leave. Rory drives, and I sit in the back with Aislin, arm around her, her head on my shoulder.
I don’t know how to explain the feeling I get after killing someone. I don’t regret what I just did. I’m glad he’s dead. There’s no sadness either. I’m just…empty. Is that a good thing? No idea. Most people would probably say yes, but when this is the only life I’ve ever known, the only life I’ve ever had, it justis.
Still, I do my best to comfort Aislin.
My phone buzzes against my thigh, and I lift it to see that Cillian has messaged. Thank fuck it’s not my father. I’m not in the headspace to deal with him right now. Honestly, I always just want to be alone after a night like tonight, but that’s not in the cards at the moment.
Cillian: I brought your boy home with me.
Me: I didn’t ask you to do that. He should have stayed in his dorm until tomorrow.
Cil knows how I am. I didn’t specify for Dean to stay in the dorm, but Cillian should have known better.
Cillian: No. He shouldn’t have.
My pulse jumps.
Me: Why? Did something happen with him?
Cillian: No. I brought him home for you.
I bite down the urge to lash out at him, but honestly, I don’t have the fucking energy for it tonight. I’m already wrung dry.
Instead of responding, I toss the cell to the seat. Rory and Aislin don’t speak the whole drive, and I don’t either. The only other time I look at my phone is when Conan texts to let me know he’s there and everything will be taken care of.
We finally get home, and as we’re walking toward the house, my sister grasps my hand. I squeeze tightly so she knows I’m there and won’t let go no matter what she needs.
