Page 96 of Wicked Truths

I open my mouth to protest, but Dexter pats my shoulder. “Trust me, she doesn’t mind. She’d whip a titty out on stage if Bells needs to eat. It’s fine. They give her a room because it makes me and Issac more comfortable. Baby doesn’t give a shit.” He laughs. “Sorry, I know their hearts were in the right place, but that doesn’t mean they get everything right.”

He leads us past several of the other acts, and if I wasn’t about to keel over, I might laugh at the sight of Jude Walker with baby Bellamy strapped to his chest. Dexter leads us out into the hallway and into a small room across from the original room everyone was in.

There’s a couch, which is about all my brain can seem to process. I shrug out of Dexter’s hold, muttering a quick, “Thanks.”

My ass hits the sofa, and I bury my face in my hands as my brain races. Yeah, it’s a cool gesture they’re doing a benefit concert for my friends’ families, but I shouldn’t be anywhere near it.

“They died because of me,” I say before I can hold back the words.

“It sounds like they died because they made a bad call,” Hawk says, crossing his arms over his chest. Dexter heads out and Hawk shoves himself against the door. I quirk an eyebrow at him, but he shrugs. “You don’t need to talk to them until you’re ready.”

ChapterThirty-One

Oakley

“Idon’t think I can do this,” Liam says, swiping his hair back from his face as he stands up. He’s always pale, but he looks like he might hit the ground at any moment.

“I can take the lead if you want. Tell them no thanks and get us the hell out of here,” Marcus offers, coming over. He shoves his hands in his pockets, giving Liam a soft smile. “But I think it could be cathartic.”

“Fuck, Oakley,” Liam whispers, wrapping his arms around me. He’s shaking so badly that I don’t know what to do. He bends down, burying his face in my hair. “I really don’t think I can do this.”

“That’s okay.” My hands dig into his slender back. “It’s a lot. If I had known it was coming…”

“Yeah, I’ll be having a conversation with my sister about this bullshit.” Marcus comes closer and grabs Liam’s shoulder, giving him a squeeze. “We follow your lead. If you want to call it, then we leave right now. All of us together.”

“We’ve got your back,” I murmur, running my hand up and down Liam’s spine. He shakes, and I’m pretty sure he’s crying into my hair. His scent is acrid with his stress and discomfort. My system hates it, and I immediately focus on trying to release soothing pheromones. “It’s up to you.”

Sullivan comes closer, hugging Liam and me from the right side. “You have no obligation to perform tonight.”

There’s commotion behind me, but I can see exactly what’s happening.

“I saidfuck off,” Hawk growls, slamming the door in someone’s face. They try to open it, but Hawk spins around, plants his back against it, and crosses his arms over his chest. My head tilts until I can see him. He nods back to Liam, but I don’t have a clue how to fix this.

Liam chokes or coughs. It’s a pained sound that makes me feel like I’ll claw out of my skin if I can’t help him feel better immediately. “I’m the reason they’re dead, and I’m supposed to go out there and perform in their honor?”

“No,” Marcus barks. It startles me to the point I jolt in Liam’s hold. “Sorry, princess.” He runs a hand down my back. “Your friends died because they made a bad call. It’s a fucking tragedy, but it’s not your fault.”

“Survivor’s guilt put me in therapy, and my mom died of alcoholism. I knew there was nothing I could have done to save her.” I clutch Liam even harder. “We’re leaving. This is causing you too much misery. It’s—”

Marcus swats my ass. When my eyes fly to his, he gives me a look. “Can you give us a minute?”

“What? No!” I hiss.

“Yeah, this is a bro talk,” Marcus says, nodding from Sullivan to me.

I hold onto Liam even tighter because I know what’s coming, but Sullivan scoops me up and carries me toward the door as I fight his hold.

“Stop it,” I snap. “He needs me.”

“And he’ll have you after this.” Sullivan nods at Hawk, who opens the door and corrals back Lyric, Ryder, and her alpha Storm.

“You’re a big motherfucker,” Storm growls in his low tone, jabbing a finger at Hawk.

“Yeah, you’re still not getting in there.” Hawk crosses his arms, blocking the door as Sullivan sidesteps him to give us some breathing room.

Ryder nods. “We made a mistake. Truthfully, we were trying to give him solace.”

“Well, it didn’t work,” I snap, kicking my feet and wiggling until Sullivan lets me down. “I’m so angry right now.”

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