His attention dipped to the blood that soaked the front of my shirt.
“Told you I was supposed to head this. That blood should be on me,” he said.
“You know we couldn’t risk you causing a scene. Had to make a call.”
“This is going to put your crew in deep shit.”
“Doubt he knows we’re involved, but we’re here for you, no matter what.”
He shifted to loop his arm around Elena’s waist. Wavering between anger and relief. “Thank you, brother.”
“Get her out of here and to safety,” was my only response.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Elena peered over at me, torn between gratitude and fear before Silas turned to guide her to his bike. He kicked it over and she climbed on, and a few seconds later, his taillight disappeared into the woods.
My spirit screamed as I turned back to my house.
Throat closing off as I tramped up the steps.
I turned off the alarm, worked through the locks, then stepped through the door, reengaging everything on the other side.
I was covered in blood.
No surprise there.
And still, I was the fool who couldn’t do anything but slowly ease to my bedroom door.
My heart hammered at my ribs, fingers just trailing the wood. Wondering what would happen if I turned the knob.
What I’d feel if I gazed at her sleeping in my bed. All that hair strewn around her and peace on her face.
I got myself together before I did something utterly stupid, and I forced myself to move, ripping my shirt over my head as I hit the living room. I tossed the soiled fabric into the embers that barely glowed in the hearth.
Watched it be consumed before I moved down the hall.
Could hear the faint whine of Duke on the other side of the children’s door, letting me know he was there, but I got the sense he wasn’t going anywhere.
He had a new job to do.
With a perplexed shake of my head, I moved into the guest bathroom, locked the door behind me, and peeled off the rest of my clothes.
Then I stepped into the shower.
Closed my eyes beneath the spray and was taken back.
Back to the time when I thought I’d forever be her protector.
Back to the time before I destroyed everything.
THIRTEEN
DAISY
“I’ll go to the police.”
Daisy stood shaking in the darkened hallway, her voice trembling and her heart hammering. Flinty fear blackening the edges of her sight.
