Her sobs are loud and ugly as she falls into my arms, and I do all I can in that moment. I wrap my arms around her slight frame, shielding her from the world.
If only I could shield her from the pain itself.
I should worry about just how much her heartbreak causesmeto hurt, but I can’t because all I can do is hold her as she cries and cries.
We can’t stay here, but I don’t think she’s going to be safe to ride on the back of a bike like this. It’s as thoughall the strength has been drained from her body, and she’s shaking so hard, there’s no way she’ll be able to hold on. I need help.
Despite knowing that I’m going to get shit from my daughter, I don’t call her. Instead, I lift my phone, keeping one arm around Camile.
“What’s up, Jack?” The voice on the other end is deep and serious.
Roman is one of the Preachers, and he owes me and my men. Now’s the time for me to call it in.
“You owe me a favor.”
“Go on,” he says.
And I tell him what I need.
17
CAMILE
I don’t wantto believe what’s happening. My brain can’t quite comprehend it.
Jack wants to take me back to his house, to stay with him, and as much as I want to be near him, I need to think about my family.
Jack has given me back my cell, so I swipe the screen to try my brother. My hands are shaking, and I feel jittery all over. It goes straight through to voicemail. Shit. I try my mom next, but the same thing happens.
“Please pick up, Mom,” I cry into the phone. “I need to know you’re both safe. I’m so sorry about Dad.” My voice cracks and breaks. My chest hurts so bad from all the crying, and I can’t see it letting up any time soon.
What the hell am I going to do? My head spins with countless questions. Where is my dad’s body? Will there be a funeral? How will anyone be able to attend it? What will happen to the business? They’re all things I can’t answer and that I’m helpless to deal with, but theyoverwhelm me all the same.
On the other side of the gates, someone approaches. The gates swing open. Roman, the leader of the gang known as the Preachers, strides toward us, all long legs, broad shoulders, and blond hair. His forehead is furrowed.
“I’m here, Jack,” he says. “Whatever you need.”
The two men shake hands. Roman glances my way, his gaze raking over me in concern.
I feel like I’m witnessing everything from a distance. I honestly don’t know what to do with myself. I can’t even trust myself to stand right now; my legs don’t feel like they belong to me. Is my family home even still standing, or have our attackers burned everything to the ground?
Do I still have any home left at all to return to?
Jack and Roman lower their voices, their heads together. They both glance in my direction. I don’t know exactly what they’re saying, but I can only assume it has to do with me and what’s happened.
Roman gives a final, decisive nod, then they approach me.
I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. It’s not pretty, but I don’t give a shit.
“Roman is going to drive you back to the compound,” Jack says.
I know he’s already told me what he wants, but he hasn’t given me time to figure out what to do myself. His will is like a huge boulder, rolling down the hill, taking everything with it, including me.
“I need to go home,” I tell him between sniffles. “I should be with my mother and brother.”
“You can’t, Camile. We’ve already gone over this. It’s not safe.”
I hear the frustration in his voice, but the last thing I’m worried about right now is pissing off Jack.
