Page 38 of Bully's Darkness
“So, like I said, take care of the Pres, cos who knows what could happen if he gets distracted.”
My head snaps up to meet her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Yeah, Poison, what does that mean?” asks Birdy. “It sounded like a threat.”
“I’m just saying, we all know what Bully is like, right? If she doesn’t take care of his needs when he’s so stressed, he might get . . . distracted.” She smirks. “And I, for one, am happy to step in and help when he requests it.” She saunters past me, knocking her shoulder into mine as she passes.
“Bully needs to know about this,” says Bria firmly.
“No,” I snap before she can stomp off. “I’ll deal with it.” I look the rest of the women in the eye before adding, “I didn’t do any of this on purpose.” They remain silent. “Poodle, draw up a fair rota. One that means Poison pulls her weight, because if she doesn’t start to, she’s out.” And I turn on my heel and leave.
I break out into the sunshine and inhale until my lungs stretch painfully full then release it slow. My pulse begins to settle, but the unease lingers. It’s too quiet out here.
The clubhouse sits deep in an industrial compound, the kind of place only lorries find, parking up to sleep off long-haul hours. Normally, the silence brings peace. Today, it feels like a warning.
I slip around the back of the building, out of sight from the road. The weight in my chest still hasn’t lifted. I sink down beneath a tree, knees pulled close, and try to untangle the mess inside my head.
My phone buzzes in my pocket.Darren.Shit. I forgot he had my number. I hesitate before unlocking it.
Darren:Don’t freak out. I just wanted to check you’re okay.
I stare at the message, heart thudding again. It doesn’t read like a threat, but I know I should show Bully. Before I can stand, another one comes through.
Darren:This was never about you, Olivia. I’m sorry you’re caught up in it.
My thumb hovers over the reply. I shouldn’t answer. IknowI shouldn’t.
But after what Poison said . . . maybe I need to hear it from someone else. Someone who might actually tell me the truth.
Me:Did you know who I was right from the beginning?
His reply is instant.
Darren:Yes.
The air catches in my throat. I’d expected him to lie. Or maybe I’dhopedthis was some awful accident, that I was just a coincidence.
Me:So this whole time, you were using me to get to him?
Darren:No.
Me:Then what was the plan? Because right now, I feel like I’ve fucked up everything.
Darren:You were never the target, Olivia. Know that. And I won’t let anything bad happen to you.
Me:Who is the target?
A pause.
Darren:I think we both know the answer to that. Someone like you shouldn’t be in this life. If he cared about you, he’d let you go.
I stare at the screen, my pulse thudding like a war drum.
Me:Hurting him will hurt me.
Darren:I know. That’s the part that makes this hard. But sometimes people need to be hurt to see the truth. You’re protecting a man who doesn’t deserve it. He leaves a trail of wreckage behind him, Olivia. You just haven’t seen it all yet. You will. And when you do, I hope you remember I tried to warn you.
Bully
