Lana never gave me closure. Never once apologized for cheating on me with Crow. Never once felt an ounce of guilt. She blamed me. It’s because I was pulling away that she went behind my back to find comfort in someone else. Because I was suffering with grief and didn’t know how to fucking breathe without feeling guilt.
I still fucking can’t.
But with Gracie Mae I’m starting to figure out how. I see the possibility of living.
“If you’re going to continue this I’m going to need popcorn,” Snake quips but when I cut a glance his way it’s then I see him telling without saying directly to drop it and pick it back up when the others aren’t here.
I subtly nod my head and he returns the gesture.
Crow rises from his chair, unfolding his large frame to look down at every one of us. A power move if I ever saw one. But I’m not going to allow him to act all righteous because he isn’t.
Rising from my own chair I stare him down from across the table. And while I am the biggest and broadest man here I can tell that means nothing to him. He isn’t intimidated by me. Nor afraid.
“Boys,” Sticks clears his throat.
For once I’m not going to listen to President’s orders.
Not when it comes to him.
“Oak, not during Church,” Sticks warns me with a hard edge to his voice.
Fine then. “Crow, how about I walk you out.”
“I was just thinking the same,” he replies through terse lips.
I nod my head and allow him to walk out in front of me but not too far ahead in case the fucker decides to make a break for it.
Not that I think he would. He was once a soldier and the man is filled with pride. He doesn’t run from situations he runs towards them full force without caring about his own life.
Before I walk out I hear Sticks order, “No blood being spilt.”
Yeah, we’ll just have to see about that.
I’m so consumed with my anger that I don’t even realize that Crow has stopped walking.
I’m about to give him a piece of my mind for almost slamming into him when I hear the familiar sound of laughter coming from across us.
There I see my sister, Nora and Gracie Mae sitting together on the black leather loveseat laughing with one another like old friends.
Nora is wiping the underneath of her eyes from laughing too hard. Tears always happen whether she wants them to or not when she’s laughing too hard. I haven’t seen her that way in a long time. Ever since the incident.
Gracie Mae has her hand over her heart as she’s laughing with her. Her head tipped back exposing her kissable neck.
She’s absolutely beautiful, breathtaking even. And the sound of her voice I want to put on repeat. Memorize it for when I wake from the inevitable nightmares.
I know why I’m in a trance. Why I’m paralyzed.
Why is Crow?
“Nora.” His voice sounds gruff, off.
The laughter stops and I watch struck as Nora notices him before she notices me.
Her eyes widen behind her glasses as she sees him. “Blake,” she says breathlessly.
Crow goes to take a steps towards her but I clamp a hand on his shoulder. He stiffens, his muscles locking under my hand. “If you ever thought I wanted to murder you before I promiseyou the most painful death if you ever lay a hand on my fucking sister.”
He breaks free of my hold with a jerk of his shoulder. He doesn’t cut me a glance as he walks away from me and towards her. It’s as if the fucker didn’t hear a word that I threatened him with. Or he doesn’t care. Either way he’s a dead fucking man.
