Page 85 of Bound by Wreckage
She laughs. “Yeah, he had to dig a holethat was huge by hand. Then when he was almost done the guys rented a backhoe to really dig it.”
“He had to do that because of me?”
“Yeah, babe. Ravage is a tight family. The fact that he didn’t tell anyone about you and took the heat for it says a lot about my brother. He’s never been one to go against the family. The fact that he did, to get you safe, shows how much he cares aboutyou.”
I turn away from her and ring my hands together. “I’m in love with your brother.” The words tumble out.
“Yeah, I caught that. Funny how that shit happens so fast. Huh?”
“He hates me.”
Her smile dies. “No, Carsyn. He doesn’t.”
“Because of me one of his brothers is dead.”
“You don’t know that for fact yet.”
I shake my head. She’s not understandingme or where I’m coming from. I start to speak, but she lifts her hand, and my words die in my throat.
“Look, Carsyn. My brother yesterday, with you on his arm, was the happiest he’s been in a long time. He’s been down these last few months and it hasn’t been because of Dagger. It was before that. He refused to talk about it, and we all just left him to his devices. He’s a good man and dealswith things his way. He cares about you, Carsyn. Don’t hurt him.”
“That’s the last thing I want to do.” Never not ever do I want to hurt Nox. “It’s why I made him leave me because I didn’t want Buck going after him.”
“I get that, and I get that you didn’t have a family for a lot of years. But in our family, we don’t back down. If Buck would’ve come after you or us, he would’ve methis match.”
“So you’re saying I made another mistake.”
She shakes her head. “Nope. It’s admirable that you wanted to protect him, and you didn’t know any different. Buck didn’t protect you, and you had no way of knowing that would be what Ravage would do and had zero expectations.”
“Everyone is going to hate me.”
She reaches out and touches my leg. “Everyone here hastheir heart on their sleeve after putting Dagger in the ground. We were fractured by his death. But we are not broken. The guys will get the answers.”
I nod, really unable to say more because she gets it, she just doesn’t get it. If that makes any sense. Buck’s club all hated me, and there’s no way I can live with Nox’s feeling the same way.
“Just hang tight. Can I bring you somethingto eat?”
“That’d be nice.” Even though I really don’t have the stomach for it, yet know I have to eat something.
“I’ll be back.”
She leaves and I feel no relief after the discussion. If anything, I feel worse.
When will this go away?
