It feels fucking dangerous.
“The whole story.” I clarify. “I want to ruin his life, even in death.”
Riley swallows nervously, and his hands shake as he pushes them through his auburn curls.
“Are you sure about this, Stardust?” Creed asks, his demeanor still and calm. “I mean, I’m all for whatever you want to do, but…are you sure? Riley?”
Of course, I would never give a detail of our lives that he wasn’t ready to divulge to anyone outside of our circle. I’m just so tired of feeling like we have to hide ourselves simply because of what others might say. So why not get ahead of it and tell our own story? Why not expose Guy and everyone he has ever associated with? Give him death in every sense of the word. He managed to wear a perfectly crafted mask, one that had him loved and fucking adored by his community. His true self was saved for when he inflicted his sick and twisted pain upon me.
I want the remnants of his memories buried along with wherever his body may be rotting.
Riley is contemplative for only a moment before he reaches up the back of my neck, his hand trembling slightly. “You know what? Fuck it. I’m in. Whatever you need from me, baby. Let’s fucking do it.”
Feeling a new sort of excitement thrumming through my veins, I lean into him, and he meets me halfway for a soft kiss.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips. “I’m ready to step into the sunshine, and I’m ready to do that with you two by my side.”
Creed’s already got a maniacal grin tugging at his lips while rubbing his hands together conspiratorially when I turn to him. “Fuck yeah. I’ll call those Scottish bastards. They can help.”
Chapter 46
Collins
“MEET THE MCTAVISH BROTHERS.”
Iwatch in awe as the iron gates swing open slowly. Asher’s fingers drum lazily on the steering wheel while we wait, the picture of calm, cool, and collected. Ayla’s too busy scribbling in a notebook and checking her phone to care. Bear apparently had something too urgent going on to join us, but too private to share.
I, however, am a nervous wreck.
Riley squeezes my leg reassuringly, despite his own skin being a bit on the clammy side. He’s been sitting quietly next to me, occasionally squeezing at the back of his neck to stave off his nerves. I think a part of that is my fault, though.
This morning, I had a dissociative episode that resulted in dropping and shattering my favorite mug. We’re late because my coffee had soiled my and Blair’s clothes, and it took a while to change because Creed insisted on checking me for cuts or burn marks.
It’s been a while since I’d slipped into the recesses of my own mind, into an episode like that. I hate that I can’t stop them myself when I feel them coming on, but I feel thankful that I simply felt afloat in the ether, rather than being sucked into an alternate reality.
It didn’t last long either because Creed and Riley were right there to coax and bring me back in that sweet, gentle way that only they could by using our affirmation that seems to work every time.
See me.
Feel me.
We. Are. Real.
Creed’s head is all but hanging out the window as Asher pulls through, his fingers interlocked with Blair’s on the center console.
A week has passed since they went house hunting and came home with the exciting news that they found the perfect place. They refused to tell us exactly where it was, that it was a surprise. I wanted to pout about it, but seeing the genuine joy radiating off of my brother was enough for me to let it go…for now.
We had other things to focus on, anyway, like setting up this meeting with the McTavish brothers. It’s important to us that we get our story out there and toldourway, and that we let the dust settle before theDark Sinstour begins next year.
“Holy shit,” Riley whispers to himself as the massive home comes into view. Creed lives in a large but practical house.Thisis one step below being a fucking palace. Complete with a fancy fountain in the center of a circular drive.
“It may not seem like it on the outside, but the McTavish family is humble. The brothers inherited this house from their father when he died.”
“How nice of him,” Creed mutters under his breath with a hint of sarcasm as Asher brings the vehicle to a halt and kills the engine.
“Niceis not the word I’d use to describe that man,” Blair says, unbuckling himself.
“How did he die?”
