I tap again, a little louder this time. “Come on in,” he says in an amused tone.
My hand rests on the door handle, but my curiosity and need for answers override my hesitancy to walk in. I press down and exhale through my teeth as I walk in.
“Sorry to disturb you,” I say as I open the door.
His bedside lamp is on, and he’s lying on the bed with just sweatpants on. A swirl of tattoos covers every inch of his skin. He’s staring at the ceiling, his arms under his head. The smell of blood is in the air.
I swallow down the bile threatening to rise, but then an uncomfortable thought flows through my mind. Even though Knox said he wasn’t hurt, maybe Demon is.
“Are you hurt? Do you need me to get you anything?” It’s the least I could do. He helped Knox.
Demon’s face twists in pain. When he looks at me, his head tilts an inch to the side. But then he shakes his head and a wicked smile curves on his lips, though there’s no mistaking the vulnerability in his eyes. That grin is his mask, and my heart aches at the thought.
He chuckles and says, “I’m alllll good. Though I can’t say the same for the pig.”
My body freezes. “What did you find out?”
“Ask Bomber.”
“Zara.” I hear my name being called from the hallway. I step toward Demon’s door and open it wide to see Knox. His hair is still wet from the shower. His eyes narrow. “What are you doing in there?”
“Please tell me. What did you find out?”
He moves to me, grabs my hand, and starts tugging me outside, but I hold my ground. “Please!” The torment in my voice is unmistakable. Tidal waves of dread wash over me.
His eyes glow with anguish. “It was Audrey.”
I look at him with bulging eyes. Pain fills my chest as though his words stabbed my heart.
“Misty and Audrey left together,” he says, his face scrunching like every word is toxic.
“How do you know?” I ask.
“There was video footage of Misty at the pharmacy where she purchased a pregnancy test. Then there was video footage from the local retail store that’s close to Audrey’s house showing Misty’s car parked outside, then again, with them leaving shortly afterward with Audrey’s security guard. The officer never added the evidence to the file.”
“So Misty’s okay? She left me?” I ask as my world spins.
She actually left me... She near killed me. I was lifeless without her... without Knox. She was the hand holding the knife, cutting me open, and I was bleeding out.
Eighteen
Strength in Numbers
Zara
I stare blankly at Knox,wondering how it got to this point. “How could they do this to me?” My voice stutters at the end.
With eyes full of sympathy, he steps toward me. He wraps his arms around me, though I feel cold... as if no warmth would ever penetrate. “I’m sorry,” he whispers, then pulls me tighter. “I’m so sorry.” His voice is raw, as if he did wrong and is apologizing for it.
I have an inkling to tell him it’s not his fault, but my chest feels heavy and every inch of my body is cloaked with numbness.
He pulls back, his arms falling to his sides. “I have to call Kane.”
I bring my eyes to his and nod.
“You want me to get everyone up for church or do you want to wait till the morning?” Demon asks from behind me.
I faintly hear voices, then see Axle, Viper, and Cash beside Knox. Their smiles fall, seriousness taking over.
