Page 99 of Bullet
“Noted. Banishment isn’t something I take lightly. I would like to reconvene at a later date to give everyone time to consider the ramifications either way. In the meantime, Bullet, you will steer clear of Harlee. I know it will be hard, but we must show respect to Honk. Honk, you will not hurt Bullet again. Understood?”
Honk nods as I feel my heart breaking in my chest, and I give my own nod.
When he bangs the gavel, I feel the cage closing on me.
As we exit the room, Harlee passes her father’s open arms for mine. I let her hug me, holding her to me in case this is the last time I ever get to.
“Reaper,” Honk warns.
“Let them say goodbye, Honk.”
Harlee pulls back, tears in her eyes. “Goodbye? No. I’ll go with you.”
I cup her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. We just can’t see each other for a few days until they make a decision on my fate. We can survive this. It will make us stronger.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to survive without you.”
“You’re never without me. I’m always right here.” I press my hand over my heart. “Take care of your dad. He’s in a bad place. Don’t hold this against him.”
She presses her lips to mine. “How can I not? He is ripping my heart out.”
“It’ll be over in a couple of days. I promise.” I kiss her deeply before I pull back. “Be a good girl, Angel.”
Then I leave her standing there crying.
It’s the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
Sitting in the little window nook, my face hurts from all the crying I’ve done. I knew my dad wouldn’t approve of Bullet and me getting together, but I didn’t expect him to act like this.
It’s not fair. Especially since he’s been pretty much absent since Mom died.
Now he wants to be present after all this time?
I shake my head. It doesn’t work like that. If I had my way, I would have just walked away from him and called it quits. I don’t give a damn about his opinions and his approval.
Bullet does, though.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“Harlee, I made lunch. Why don’t you come down and eat with me?” Dad says from the other side.
As petty as it is, I don’t respond.
After a few minutes, he gives up and walks away, his footsteps retreating down the stairs.
I pull my phone out of my hoodie pocket and tap on the screen.
No new notifications.
Goddamn Bullet and his morals. After all this time and everything we’ve been through, I didn’t think he would really listen to my dad and not reach out. For the first time since we exchanged phone numbers, he doesn’t respond when I call or text him.
I miss him. I miss him so much it hurts.
My phone starts to ring in my hand, and for a split second, I’m excited.
It’s him.
That all changes, though, when I see her name flash across the screen.
