Page 26 of Relapse
Thank God.
And suddenly my lungs could work again. I sucked in a big breath of air and let my shoulders relax.
“But you’re going to have to come with us…”
A tiny scaredsqueak pulled me out of the past and to the bend curving around Cherry Lake that was approaching way too fast. For half a second I thought about slamming my foot down on the gas just so I could hear Harper scream when we flew around the turn. But I eased up instead. I’d already escaped one sinking car and wasn’t in a hurry to do it again. Even if it would be fun to watch her face light up in terror.
How ironic would that be though? Micha and Lou still tried to paint this picture of a perfect mom for me, but I knew what she did. I also knew that it was Micha who pulled me out of that car. I didn’t remember much about that night, but I got enough flashes that I could piece it together.
The car careening off the dock, water soaking my legs, and the desperation on my brother’s face when he was banging that trophy against the window. I still had that thing. I looked at it sitting on my dresser every morning before I got ready for school.
It used to be a symbol of hope. Now it just reminded me of yet another thing my so-called family kept from me. Every time Lou told me another story about how I used to bake cookies with my mom, I internally shook my head.
The man was a shrink, he should’ve known my memories would come back one day. So much for being one of the top men in his profession.
I glanced over at Harper’s tiny hand gripping tightly to the door handle and rolled my eyes. “Relax, I’m not gonna kill us.”
I might hurt her a bit, but I wouldn’t kill her. Not physically, anyway. Her soul was another story. I’d happily tear that shit apart. Maybe the broken pieces would mend mine? Not that it would matter. I gave up on any sense of peace a long time ago.
Harper didn’t so much as peep in response. She just sat there staring. It was fucking annoying. I could feel her gaze pouring over my face. Almost like she was searching for something.
Maybe she thought she’d find some remnants of that little boy she used to know? But he was dead. I fed him to the beast of wrath she created.
My jaw twitched as I twisted my grip on the steering wheel. Fuck it, let her stare. I hoped she looked at me for so long that her hope built up, so I could stomp it back down. I wanted to crush that spark in her eyes under my boot, until there was nothing left but a hollow shell of misery and pain.
Why the fuck is she still staring at me?
Clearing my throat, I shook off her eyes and curved around the sign saying Oakleigh Manor. This road was another lie. More specifically, the oak trees lining it. Another one was planted every time a new Kessler male was born. The one at the end was mine.
Except I wasn’t a Kessler. I was the unwanted son of the boogeyman. How sad was that? Even a monster couldn’t be bothered with me.
Harper’s gaze never left me. Not when she shifted in her seat, or when we pulled up to the house at the end of the road. That innocent look on her face was pissing me off. I tried to ignore it and focus on driving, but she was still fucking there. Sitting right beside me, staring like some poor pathetic trapped animal.
“Stop fucking looking at me!” I snarled and clicked on the remote clipped to my visor.
That seemed to work. Harper quickly snapped her head in the other direction.
About fucking time.
I didn’t get out after I pulled my car into the garage. I just sat there in the cemented room, listening to the door softly drop down and eyed Micha’s Jeep. When I went to Harper’s house, I had all this planned out. Go in and demand the truth–which I knew I wouldn’t get–then take the lying bitch. What the hell was I supposed to do now?
What the fuck did I want to do?
Harper shifted beside me, and I could sense she wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She sat where she was and kept quiet, which was fine with me. The temptation of her sweet scent was bad enough. I didn’t need the fearful quake in her voice to add to that.
I had more important things to think about. Like how I was going to explain this to the two nosey pricks inside. Given the whole contract conversation, Lou might not say much. Micha, however…
A part of me felt sick at the fact that I punched my brother. Then again, the smug prick did ask for it. Getting in my face like he knew everything. He didn’t know shit. He had no idea what I sacrificed for her.
Well, fuck him, and fuck her too.
“Are we going inside?”
Rage twisted my neck, snapping my glare back on the redhead beside me. “Why the fuck are you talking to me?”
She instantly ducked her head. That in itself was a taunt. I fucking hated the way she hid behind the soft, shimmering ruby curtain of her hair. I wanted to see her face and watch the misery trickle down her cheek in a fat salty drop.
Instead I got her quiet, quaky voice. “P-p-please take me home.”
