They don’t attempt to argue with me, which is good because I’m not sure I won’t swing for them if they dare defend themselves.
I swing my gaze on Presley. “And you!” Poison swirls through my veins, and I can’t hear, can’t feel anything but overwhelming rage. I can’t think over the screaming in my head. “You disgust me. I can’t look at you and not see him. Not see all the ways you failed me too. You should have seen. You could have stopped him.”
“Kent, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see, but if I had, I would have stopped him.”
“Liar!” I hiss. “Get out. Get the fuck out, and stay out. I never want to see you again.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Presley
“Presley. Sweetheart.” Mo sits down on the side of the bed, gently touching her hand to my back. “Dinner is ready.”
“I’m not hungry.” I pull myself upright, forcing a smile.
“You have barely eaten anything these past few days. I’m worried.”
“I’m okay,” I lie, tucking knotted strands of hair back off my face.
“No, you’re not, and I get it. You’ve had a lot of devastating blows all at once, but you can’t stay locked in this bedroom forever.”
“If I’m getting in the way, I can leave.”
Rafe has been really kind letting me move in here, especially when I’m sure I’m getting in the way of his burgeoning relationship with my best friend. But I don’t have anywhere else to go. Not since Kent kicked me out of his life and The Vipers blew up my old apartment. Thankfully, Ford and Rafe had moved all my personal possessions out the night before. The Vipers only targeted my apartment, which was empty at the time, so no one got hurt. My landlord is understandably pissed, but the insurance should pay out.
“You know that’s not what I’m saying. This house is plenty big, and Rafe loves having you here.”
I snort. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
“We love you.” Mo cups my face. “And we want to keep you safe.”
“That’s why Rafe installed that new security system and why he’s hired bodyguards for all of us?” I haven’t even seen mine because I haven’t left this house in a week. Not since I fled here the night Kent kicked me out of his hospital room. Kaden and Eva found me after I raced out of there, and they drove me here. Rafe and Mo welcomed me with no hesitation.
The property is in a nice part of Brookline, in a gated community, and very safe. Rafe’s grandmother left the estate to him in her will, and he has spent years modernizing it. It’s beautiful with six bedrooms, seven baths, an indoor pool, and gorgeous outdoor areas. I have no idea why Rafe holds on to Ramshackle when it’s clear his other businesses are way more lucrative and he doesn’t need the money or the hassle. Mo said he’s considering selling it to Ford now Ford is engaged to Michelle and they are planning their future. I’m happy for my friends, even if my life is in the toilet.
“That wasn’t Rafe,” Mo admits, and I raise an eyebrow. “The Kennedys arranged the security measures. They’re worried about you too.”
“They’re good people.” This is the first occasion, where I’ve broken up with someone, when I’ve lost more than just the man. Kent’s family welcomed me with open arms, and I’ll miss them too. Selena and Keanu, and Austen and Keaton, have been checking in with me every day by phone. Eva came by a few days ago to tell me Kent is in rehab. He had a breakdown, but they managed to get him into rehab instead of a psychiatric facility, which would have caused problems for his law career.
She told me to hang in there, that she’s sure he didn’t mean the things he said. I nodded my head and smiled in all the right places, but the truth is, Kent is right. I shouldn’t have flippantly ignored the things Clay was involved in.
I’m guilty by association.
I knew he was involved in bad shit, but I had no idea it extended to raping innocent boys. More fissures crack my heart as pain slams into me all over again. I don’t know why I never saw that side to him.Why did Clay protect me when he was out there hurting Kent?And how many others have there been?I’m not naïve enough to think what happened to Kent was a one-off.
It sickens and upsets me every time I recall the things Kent said. I want to murder Clay with my bare hands for ever laying a finger on the man I love.
But I’d have to find him first, and he’s in the wind.
Clay disappeared from the hospital in the early hours of the morning, and no one has seen him since. According to the news, warrants have been issued for several men known to be affiliated with The Vipers. Thankfully, I haven’t seen anything that indicates Kent was arrested for the assault on Clay, but I’ve no idea what is going on behind the scenes.
A knock sounds on the door. “Presley,” Rafe says through the wood.
“You can come in,” I call out.
He opens the door and pokes his head inside. “Hey.” His expression softens when he sees me. “I just wanted to let you know that Keven is here, if you feel up to talking with him.”
I swing my legs out of the bed, hoping he has an update on Clay and The Vipers. I’m sure the Kennedys have Kent in some high-security facility, but I’m still worried about them going after him. By now, they would know their attempt to murder him failed.
