She turned to Molly again, bent, and kissed her forehead. She smelled like sweat and medicine.
“I’m so sorry, Molly.”
For weeks, Harley had called herself a victim. Not of Nardo and his father, but of her family. It wasn’t until the Grevenbergs began terrorizing her that she realized what she’d done and how she’d alienated everyone.
Yes, Lolly—almost everyone except Rebel—had forgiven her, but it didn’t undo all of Harley’s regret. It didn’t curtail her shame. And it didn’t convince her that anyone would care how Nardo beat her.
Daddy might, but Mr. Grevenberg boasted he’d kill her father for humiliating him in front of Mrs. Grevenberg. She’d slapped Harley, too.
Really—who cared?
She was getting what she deserved. She’d never been the victim. Not like Molly. Stolen by her wretched father and abused in so many ways.
It would’ve taken nothing for Harley to be kind to Molly. She wished she could take it all back and act differently. Maybe, Mommie would’ve helped her more.
Walking to the only chair, Harley sat. The room was small, on the regular ICU unit. The harsh fluorescent lights brightened the white walls. The predominant antiseptic smell of a hospital wove around the stale scent of dry air. For some odd reason, Harley picked up on the scent of antibacterial soap, even though no one had come in to check on Molly in the few minutes Harley had been there.
Ryan opened the door but merely stuck his head in the room. Over the weeks, Harley noticed a dramatic shift in his attitude. Although he’d gone back to ignoring her, he’d changed, become friendlier to his family.
“We’re leaving in five minutes,” he told her.
Harley looked at Molly again. “Can I stay? She’ll be all alone if I leave, too.”
“She’s my girlfriend and I’m not staying.”
Harley’s shoulders slumped, but she dropped the subject. “Will she be moved to the private wing?”
“Probably not. The contract specifically calls for only Dweller families. People were fired when Tom took her. They know she’s under our care but isn’t one of us. The only person who can negotiate is Uncle Johnnie.”
Harley frowned at Ryan.
“Yeah. Exactly. We both know he’s a motherfucker and he won’t do it.”
“Do you think she’s in danger?”
Irritation settled into his face. Instead of lashing out, he stepped into the room, but remained by the door, and refused toeven glance at Molly. “We don’t know who shot DeLuca, Harley. It could’ve been Bash, Cleaner, Wally, Jr., or any other Scorpion. If it was her father, he might not be too happy she’s back with us.”
“He could steal her again.”
Ryan shoved his hands in the pockets of his black jeans. His blue crewneck T-shirt made the blue tones in his turquoise eyes sparkle. His black beanie covered most of his dark brown hair but worked so well with his outfit.
“Are you really happy she’s back?”
She nodded. “Yes. Areyouhappy, Ryan?”
“That she’s alive,” he said. “I don’t know how to feel about everything else. Do I care that CJ will probably stake his claim on her? I just wanted her back safe. After a while, it didn’t matter who she preferred. Last night, though…I don’t know. He wasn’t rushing to see her, especially after you arrived.”
Once, that news would’ve lifted Harley’s spirits. Now, she understood that CJ was just a good guy who cared about people. “Did you want Molly so bad because CJ was interested in her?”
“I started paying attention to her a little more once Billson made them lab partners. But I wasn’t really as invested in her as I should’ve been.”
“Then the answer to my question is yes.”
“I guess so,” Ryan said.
“Where does that leave Molly? If CJ doesn’t want her anymore and neither do you, then what? Could she stay on club grounds as just a friend?”
“You understand what she probably endured?” Ryan demanded. “Months of mental and physical abuse? She isn’t in any state for any of us to want her as anything other than a friend.”
