Page 58 of Reaper Razed

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been run over by a steam roller and a lion’s shat in my mouth!”

“That good, huh?”

“What the fuck are we doing here, Dane?”

I shrug, as fuck if I know how we got here. “Steel’s gone to make breakfast. Come on, let’s grab a shower and some fresh clothes and get some food. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”

“Can’t remember the last time I was sober.” She scoffs.

“I don’t actually think you are.”

“Dick!” She weakly punches me in the arm. “We’ll be okay, won’t we?”

I shrug again as I’ll be fucked if I know.

After we both shower and grab some black sweats and hoodies each, I take her hand and pull her into the living room. Flopping down on the sofa, she folds her legs under her, flipping her hood up and pulling the sleeves down over her hands, keeping her face down. She sits there looking lost, and I’ve no idea how to help. I’m just as lost. Steel doesn’t say a word; he just brings two plates of food and hands them to us, then walks away and comes back with some sweet black coffee. As he walks round the sofa, he squeezes my shoulder as he passes by. He smiles down at me as I look up at him, then he bends and kisses Ray on the head and walks back to the kitchen. Her eyes flick to mine, but I just smile, pick up the fork, and start eating.

Once we’ve finished eating, we just sit there for a while, listening to Steel wander around in the kitchen. The door clicks open, and Tank comes out with Skye behind him. Skye clears her throat. “Ray, you're back. Can I have a word… in private?”

Ray's eyes shoot to Skye’s as Steel replies, “Now’s not a great time, Skye.”

She nods and gives him a tight smile as she leaves, heading back to her room.

Ray doesn’t say a word. She just rises from her seat and follows after Skye.

Tank hovers in the doorway, and Steel hovers behind the kitchen counter. The tension is rolling off everyone, and a good ten minutes later, Dice walks out of my room and can clearly feel it, too. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it again before sighing and opening it again. But Ray pushes past him. “Dane, I need you to grab your laptop and head out with me. Steel, I will be back before morning.”

Storming towards the door, she grabs her trainers, snatches the truck keys, and heads out. I shove past Dice and head to my room, grabbing my trainers and laptop and heading back into the living room.

“Dane?” Dice sighs as I walk past and storm towards the door. “Dane!” It comes out more snapped and more urgent. I spin round to face him. “I want to talk to you.” He gasps at me.

“We don’t always get what we fucking want, Dice, do we?” I snap back as I stomp down the stairs, climbing into the truck as Ray peels out of the gates.

Skye

Stepping out into the living room, all eyes turn to me and my puffy red eyes, my sniffling face and my blotchy skin. “Love?” Tank gasps. “What did she do?” The concern across his face lets me release a big sob. As he pulls me in towards his chest and then leads me over to the sofa, “Talk to me, love.” I glance over at Dice and Steel as they both come to sit on the sofa. Steel has a bottle of water in his hands, which he passes to me.

“Whatever it is, Skye, she’s not quite herself at the minute. What did you need?” Steel gives me a softened grin like he's not sure what’s going on, but he’ll help if he can.

“Me and Tank are getting married,” I blurt out as fast as I can, and Tank grabs my hand, squeezing it hard.

“Married?” Steel roars as he dives to his feet. “She’s a fucking child, Tank!”

Tank jumps from the sofa as I sob again. “Steel, please listen, it's not what you think.”

“You were supposed to look after her, not start fucking grooming her!” Steel slams his hands into Tank's chest.

“Wait, it’s not what you think, please. Steel, let me explain.” I exhale a sob.

“I’ll leave you guys to it!” Dice starts to head to the door.

“Wait, Dice, please, we need your help!” He turns on his heel and just glares between us. “Please just listen to the whole story before deciding how you feel, okay?”

Steel slides back onto the sofa, and Dice joins him. “Do you want me to start love?” Tank asks, and I just shake my head, taking a gulp of water.

Staring into his eyes, I shake my head. I need to do this for me and my family.

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