Page 85 of Happenstance
“Push it down.” Preston dropped his elbows on the island next to me and stared out at the group arguing. “Whatever it is that’s making you numb, push it back. Hold onto it in the back of your mind.” He twisted his neck, locking his grey eyes with mine, “And when the time is right, use it.”
“How?” I asked.
“Stop thinking about what’s happening to her, and concentrate on the motherfucker that took her. Stop holding back that monster you’ve been hiding all these years.” His fingers tightened on my shoulder as he leaned in and whispered, “It’s time to let him off the leash and accept who you are, brother.”
I stared at Preston, thinking about what he’d said. For so long, I fought to be normal. Played the part of good son and student, while ignoring the howling voice clawing to break free. And what for? To lose my family. If I’d have taken Lana when I wanted to, none of this shit would be happening. I could’ve protected her better.
“You two care to chime in on this?” Micha growled over at us.
“Why?” Preston challenged back, “You idiots seem to be doing a good job of fucking things up.”
Mason rolled his eyes, “I wouldn’t say we’re fucking thing up.”
“You’ve been arguing for six hours.” Preston arched a brow, “Anyone come up with a plan yet?”
They all stopped and eyed each other quietly. Of course we hadn’t come up with a plan. We didn’t even know where to fucking start. If they had taken one or the other, then maybe we’d have an idea. But both Lana and Riley? Micha and I didn’t have any enemies in common. Fuck, I didn’t have any enemies at all. I was Ashen Springs’ golden boy. Everybody loved me. Except for maybe Callaghan, and he’d never hurt Lana.
Logan ran his fingers through his hair and let out a sigh. “I’m gonna go check on Shelby.”
Shelby was going out of her mind, so Logan had drugged her and put her to bed three hours ago.
“That’s a good idea,” Preston nodded, “I’m gonna go see if Lou’s come up with anything. You idiots stay here and try not to kill each other.”
“Prick,” Micha grumbled as they walked out of the room.
I looked at him, understanding the fear etched in deep lines across his face. He felt just as helpless as I did. Silas and Mason sat back in their chairs, eyeing us. They wanted to say something, I could see it. But what could they say? Silence was thick in the air. Unwavering, unnerving, and constantly reminding us that doom was on the horizon.
“Hey.”
We all turned to see Luke standing in the kitchen doorway.
Luke’s bright eyes only reminded me of my girl. The comfortable nights watching T.V., or playing a game. The conversations we’d had over a drink, and the fun times. As happy as I was to see him, I didn’t want him here.
“Now’s not a good time, Luke.”
“I know,” he said, which made Micha and I cock a brow.
“What do you mean, you know?”
His gaze met mine, “Lana’s gone, right?”
How the fuck did he know that?
“And Riley,” Micha added.
I tipped my head at the flare in Luke’s nostril as his glare narrowed in on Micha. He didn’t like him. No, scratch that. He fucking hated Micha. But why? I’d never seen the two of them talk, or even look at each other.
“Riley was collateral damage,” Luke declared without so much as a twitch in his expression.
Micha was off his stool and across the room in half a second. I was right behind him.
“How the fuck do you know that?”
The corner of Luke’s mouth lifted at Micha’s question. “I know a lot of things you don’t, brother.”
The air in the room shifted ten degrees closer to hell as chairs screeched across the tiled floor and rage flooded Micha’s eyes.
“You killed my cousin’s parents!” Silas bellowed.
