I closed and locked the door.
Can’t breathe.Can’t escape him.
Karma had decided I’d not been punished enough. I was haunted by someone still breathing. Maybe I always would be.
Pain echoed up my body as I slumped against the door, letting it slow my descent until I was on the ground, burying my head in my arms and knees, crying again.
I was so weak. So tired.
This was too much for me.
Just hearing his last name was enough to set me off.
Pathetic.
When I’d managed to calm down again, I got myself up and carried on.
There was no other option.
I tried calling Coyote about the lighter, but the calls went straight to voicemail. I hoped him having his phone off wasn’t a bad sign for me.
Back in my cold, silent apartment, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Hope and dread warred with each other. It was probably just Coyote.
Relief and disappointment combined when I saw there was a notification. It wasn’t from Benny, but it wasn’t from Coyote either.
Cupid
Strayz assemble! Meeting at Dexys!!! [pink sparkle heart emoji]
I sighed, putting my phone on the counter without bothering to respond. No one actually expected me to be there.
After a scalding hot shower that both soothed and stung, I found the loosest fitting clothing I had to wear. I thought of Cupid wearing the oversized sweater that definitely did not belong to him. How big would Benny’s clothes have been on me?
I’d never know.
My stomach twisted, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning.
There was undoubtedly food in the kitchen. Matthew would have made sure of it.
Maybe tomorrow, I’d feel up to eating.
My phone buzzed on the marble countertop, and I wondered how long my chest would tighten at the sound.
Wolf
Meet me.
I was too tired and injured to be riding, but at least the pain kept me awake as I headed out of Harborview to meet Archer at our spot.
He was already there, pacing back and forth as I pulled up.
I’d intended to be mad at him for not answering his damn phone last night, but when I pulled off my helmet and saw how pale he was, even in the fading sunlight, concern took over my rage.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m leaving,” he answered.
