Page 120 of Wicked Ends
“What the hell is this?” a deep, familiar voice called.
Joy leapt up inside me.
Marcus was here. It was the last thing I registered before everything faded to black.
Marcus
Wakingup and finding Cole gone from home added a shot of anxiety to the toxic brew clouding my head.
When we’d gotten home the night before, he’d headed to bed, and Maddox had stopped me in my tracks and handed me a cut.
“It’s your dad’s.”
I’d stared at the battle-scarred leather jacket.
“Don’t joke around about joining. If you meant it, show Cole.”
I’d looked down at the jacket and ran a finger over the sewn-on patch.Harbor Hounds Motorcycle Club.It had been a constant in my life, even though I’d tried my best to avoid it. It was always there, waiting to swallow me whole. My father’s legacy and my brother’s burden. My fate?
This morning, I shrugged on the heavy cut and went out to find Cole. The damn fool wasn’t resting at all, despite doctor’s orders, and seemed likely to hurt himself more.
I found the bikers of his inner circle at The Clutch. No surprises there, but walking in and seeing what was going on was a shock I’d never get over.
Ari, slumped in a chair, propped up before my brother like he was her judge, jury, and executioner.
“What the hell is this?” I demanded, shouldering through the waiting men.
They stepped back once they knew I was there.
Cole met my eyes and shrugged. “I wanted to see who you were lying for.”
So, he knew. Of course he did. He always knew everything people wanted to hide. I turned away from Cole and crouched beside Ari. She was out of it, her head lolling back and forth.
“What did you give her?” I demanded, my emotions pinballing around inside my chest. I took her hand and felt her pulse. I couldn’t fight the temptation to touch her and make sure she was okay.
“Nothing much, just something to make her relaxed—and truthful, since you seem to struggle with that so much,” Cole said heavily.
“She isn’t involved in any of this,” I attempted, but I could tell Cole didn’t believe me.
“Let’s wait until she comes around and ask, shall we?” he merely suggested.
Ari swayed slightly and leaned to the left, like she might slip off the chair. Gage reached out to catch her, but I glared at him and reached out to steady her myself.
“Don’t touch her. No one touches this woman except me, got it?” I told him in a low tone.
He held his hands up innocently, and I turned a glare at the assembled group.
“Make sure you all hear it. This woman isn’t to be touched by anyone, except me. If you need to ask her something, you ask me. If you need to move her, you ask me.”
I lowered my knees to the floor and cupped her face. Her eyes slipped open, giving me a slice of my favorite view in the world. As soon as she recognized me, her face spilt open in a full grin.
“It’s Marcus. Marcus is here,” she said, voice soft.
“That’s right. I’m here, baby. I’m still right here.” I tucked her loosely hanging hair behind her ear.
“I couldn’t find you,” she whispered, her smile dropping into an expression of despair. “I looked all over, and I couldn’t find you.”
“I’m here now,” I replied, my heart feeling like it was squeezing in two.
