Page 43 of Game of Hell
I twist around and our eyes lock instantly. My hand around the picture tightens with a silent unease and I step back until I hit the wall.
“Fuck, you scared me.” I mumble and look down at the picture again.
“Of course I did.” I can hear the smirk in his voice as he steps into the room but I ignore it.
“Why was she your favorite?” My hand traces over little him and my eyes finally catch the many bruises across his arms and legs, especially his knees.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest and all I can think about is what he said in the escape room. His mother raped him, more than once, she used her age as leverage against him.
“She tried her damndest to help me. She never gave up, even when I did and when the world tried to make me out to be some monster she was there to vouch for me. She saved me.” I can hear the sincerity in his voice as he speaks but I don’t understand how he manages to be so calm during moments like these.
“That was nice of her. Where is she now? Are you still in contact with her?” I place the picture behind the frame as he steps around me, trapping me between the wall and his body.
“She’s dead, six feet under.” He whispers, his breath fanning the back of my neck.
A soft hum leaves my throat as my mouth dries. Death is never a sensitive subject for him and the male body we discovered trickles into my vision.
“Do you think the male that died will get a proper burial?” His arm snakes around my waist, forcing me to face him.
My eyes meet his ruthless ones and the breath I was holding flows out of me in a gust of alarm. I know Ronan will never hurt me but his blank stare will always scare me.
“Every year they go and get all the bodies once the building is cleared out.” I nod and he tilts his head observing my reactions. “It’s ok, Little Devil, he’s most likely in a better place.”
And like that the fear vanishes from my veins. He always knows what to say, even in the most dire situations.
My eyes widen with realization and my head snaps to my phone on the night stand. “My brother.”
The words barely leave my lips as I stumble out of his hold and over to my phone. I tap the screen but nothing happens. I snatch it up and click the power button, but the old flip thing barely lights up. A red dot glows and then switches right back off.
It’s dead.
“I have to go. My brother—.” The words die on my tongue and my head begins to spin—the worst thoughts entering my mind.
What if my brother ended up just like that guy?
“Touching.” Ronan muses behind me. “Run home and check on him.”
My head snaps to him. “Don’t be a dick. My brother could be seriously hurt. If you’re coming, let's go, I don’t have time to waste.”
I walk over to the other door in the room and snatch it open. Bingo, his closet. I look around for sweatpants and find some grey ones tucked into a draw.
“You want to drag me into your daylight world?” I can't tell if it's a taunt or a warning but shrug as I walk past him.
“Why not? You’d have to meet them eventually.” I can hear him walking behind me across the threshold of his house.
Part of me had hoped he’d laugh it off, deny meeting my family but it seems like he's all for it. Knowing Ronan he won’t just meet them. He’ll get inside their heads just like he’s got into mine—leaving behind little pieces of him.
The car ride was a blur. Ronan was calm the entire time while I suffered in silence, dreading getting home and knowing my brother was gone.
I stare up at the blue Victorian home. The place I called home for years. The paint is clean, untouched by the weather, and the white shutters make the house seem so innocent. Just like the family that lives inside.
“Fuck, I’m nervous.” I whisper as I wipe my palms against my sweats.
Ronan stands behind me, his presence making me more anxious. “Why?”
“Um, probably because a 6 '2"man is going to see my parents? Or maybe because my brother may not be behind those doors.” I roll my eyes and shakily lift my hand to knock.
As soon as the first touch of my hand hits the door it slings open. My mother stares back at me with tears in her eyes. Her hair is wet like she has just showered and her robe is tightly wrapped around her waist.
