Page 70 of Wilder
I hope Kara gets home soon because I’d hate to ask River to watch Chase tonight, but I’d also like to be at fight night with Royal. While he knows he’s going up against Bear, who is potentially injured, he also realizes that hulk of a guy is always a threat. One well-placed strike, and it’s lights-out. And with the head injury Royal sustained a week ago still weighing heavy on my mind, I’d really be more comfortable if I were there to support him.
Not only that but hiding here isn’t going to help us figure out what the hell is going on. Appearing at the warehouse for Royal’s fight might not either, but anything is possible. I hadn’t thought attending a memorial would jolt things loose, but it certainly had. We’ll be out in the open. I suck in a breath. Smith can fucking bring it. The idea that he’s been lurking on campus, watching me, and likely responsible for half the shit going on around here gives me the creeps. He wouldn’t have killed hissister and Zane, though. I can’t imagine a scenario where that makes sense. A strangled laugh tears from me.
Royal’s hand has been resting on my thigh, and now his thumb grazes over the skin, back and forth. Back and forth. He means to calm me, I think. “You okay?”
I exhale sharply because I’m really not, but there’s nothing to be done until we find a way to catch Smith in the midst of his dirty deeds. “Yeah. I’m going to grab a bottle of water. Anyone else need anything?”
The guys shake their heads, but my son gives me a sneaky grin. “Juice?” He knows he doesn’t get to have it very often. But sure. Why not? It’s been one hell of a weekend already.
Purposely masking my real feelings, I put on a funny face, then wink. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be right back.”
Leaving the den, I shut the door behind me, containing the boom of the speaker system. I find River in the kitchen putting together a snack of peanut butter and slices of apple. She shoots me a shy smile. “Sorry. Baby’s hungry.”
“Don’t apologize.” I bite my lip. “I’m really happy you decided to stay here for a little while.” I pause, unsure if I should ask about her husband.
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m sure you’re wondering if I’ve heard from Brian, and the answer is no. I don’t even know what that means, but it’s for the best. We needed this time—me and the baby,nothim—to figure out our next steps.” My brow raises. She purses her lips as she slowly exhales. “I’m going to go see a lawyer, find out my options. I’d like a restraining order, but I’m going to get some advice about how to go about doing that, considering all of Brian’s connections to the local police department, not to mention the surrounding ones.”
It’s definitely an obstacle. The asshole is so well connected, and no one seems to understand what a danger he is to his own wife. I give her a bright smile, not wanting to detract from hercurrent mood. This is the happiest I’ve seen her since she arrived on our doorstep. “Good for you. I think that all sounds great. I know Wilder will help you with whatever you need. And, River? So will the rest of us. However we can help, you let us know, okay?”
Her face flushes pink, but she nods. “Thank you so much. I mean that.” She bobs her head in the direction of the stairs. “I’m going to eat my snack, then take a nap.”
“Good. Get some rest. You deserve it.”
She pauses, gesturing to the table with the plate in her hand, her teeth clenched. “Your brother… Davis, I think he said his name is? He showed up a few minutes ago.” She winces. “He seemed out of sorts, and then it kinda got worse when I told him I thought I’d been given his room.”
Crap. “Oh, don’t worry about it. He’s hardly ever here. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be staying here on a Sunday night with classes in the morning, anyway.” I frown, eyeing his bag. It’s strange that he’s here. “Do you know where he went?”
“Out back.”
“Okay, cool.” I shoot her a grin, not wanting to give her anything else to worry about. “Have a good nap.”
She takes a bite of one of the apples on her plate, smiling as she chews, fully engrossed in her snack as she walks away.
I let out a sigh. Who the hell knows if that’ll turn out to be an issue. Hopefully, Davis won’t make a big stink over it. Pivoting to the fridge, I grab a bottle of water and the jug of juice, then rummage in a cabinet by the sink for one of the sippy cups Chase likes with the bendy straws.
Drinks in hand, my intention is to head directly back to the den, but as I pass the table, my eyes fall on Davis’s bag. I stop, blinking, because surely I don’t see what I think I see.Oh, boy. No, no, no…
A Sin Keeper card. The top of his bag is unzipped, and the telltale black envelope has partially slid into the open. All of a sudden, my throat feels like I’m trying to swallow a lump of sand, and I get this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I know my brother is part of the brotherhood at SIN, but I’ve never questioned why he was there, though maybe I should have. What he does has always been his business, and we haven’t been close since the accident. In a weird way, I believe he thinks he’s been looking after me while we’ve been at KU, but most of the time it hasn’t felt like it. It’s almost as if he’s got a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing going on. Acts like he cares one minute, does things that make it seem like he’s only looking out for himself the next.
Royal was in prison when he received his invitation to SIN. I assumed it had something to do with the accident. My lips twitch as I stare at the envelope. Maybe Davis did something that I’m unaware of. A shudder rolls through me. I don’t even want to imagine what it could be. My chest heaves with the disturbed breath I release, and I set the drinks down. Slowly, like I’m watching myself do it from somewhere outside my body, I reach for the black envelope, praying to anyone who’ll listen that it’s nothing to be concerned about. No big deal. Probably has nothing to do with anything.
The envelope feels like fire in my hands, and the only way to extinguish the flame is to look at the card inside. I slip it out, letting my gaze fall to the words inscribed there in bold print.
“Fuck, Echo, are you all ever going back to SIN, or do you plan to stay here forever? First I have to deal with you and your”—Davis lets out a snort—“harem of men being here… but now you’re bringing in other people, too? I have a complete stranger staying in my room. It’s bullshit.”
If he had a clue why River was here, he’d shut his mouth fast, but I don’t get a chance to say a word because as I turn toward him his eyes fall to the black card gripped tightly in my hands.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The way his demeanor has gone from mildly pissed off and annoyed to full-on fury in a split second is terrifying.
My hands shake. I suck in a breath. “Davis. What does this mean?”The past you’ve woven is pretend.Blinking, I stare at him as the words sink in.A lie that cost you a friend.I can’t contain myself another second. With my heart in my throat, I exclaim, “Does this mean what I fucking think it does?”Tell him what he doesn’t know so he can let his demons go.My lip trembles, shock rolling through me as he stands there, not denying any portion of it, an ugly grimace sliding over his face.
With his jaw locked tight, he glares at me before he finally mutters bitterly, “That wasn’t yours to look at. It’s none of yourfucking business!” he barks, his voice gaining volume with every word. “Fucking give it to me.”
Wild-eyed, I shake my head and take a step backward as he lunges for it. “No! Tell me what it means right the fuck now, Davis!”
Chaos ensues as the door to the den bursts open at the same time footsteps sound from the stairs.
Davis sees his opportunity and grabs my forearm. Pain lances through me, and I cry out, as he wrenches the card from my hand.
