Page 194 of Devil's Bargain

Our eyes clash. “Scott.”

My mouth opens and closes. Footsteps echo outside the corridor, so I hurry to scoop the teeth up and pour them back inside the string bag. “What are you saying, Ben? He’s dead?”

“Yeah.”

I stare at him some more.

“Steph killed him. We couldn’t let anyone identify the body.”

“So you pulled his teeth?”

He lowers his head and rubs his hands through his hair. “He deserved it, April! After what he fucking did to you! I’d kill Jared too in a heartbeat if I found him.”

I swallow. “God!”

“I know.”

I look down at the bag clutched in my hand. All the pain, suffering, and humiliation I endured was contained in one tiny little string bag. “You knew I would appreciate the gift.”

He nods, his eyes intent on mine. “I knew!”

I draw in a shaky breath. “Thank you!”

He lowers his head. “You’ll always have us, April! We’ll always fight for you!”

I pick up my phone and dial Nina. I need to hear her voice.

“Hello?”

“Nina.”

Silence.

“I’m sorry it’s late.”

“One of those days again?”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “One of those nights.”

She blows out a breath. “I’m here. I’m always here!”

As the first sob rips through my body, she’s there for me on the other end of the line while my emotions bleed out on the floor.

Four years of pain. Four years of trying to keep myself together because everyone tells me I should. When I close my eyes, all I see are those flooding headlights and that sound. The crumbling, screeching sound. It haunts me.

“Breathe, April. Breathe!”

I try. I do, but it’s impossible. I clutch my chest as more sobs tear through my body. Soul wrenching, gutting cries of anguish.

“You’re going to be okay. Let it out!”

“Nina,” I whisper.

“I’m here!”

When the sobs finally ebb away, she sings me a song she knows always makes me laugh. I can hear the smile in her voice as she says, “That’s more like it, babe.”

“I miss you!”

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