Elias and a woman I recognize as one of Alfie’s aunts are walking towards us. “Did you really doubt us?” the woman asks.
“You know I’d never doubt you, Aunt Lailani. These idiots, though? Absolutely,” Alfie tells her.
His aunt looks to me. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
I nod my head, and a fresh wave of tears falls from my eyes.
Alfie wraps his arm around my waist and his lips press to the side of my face. “Let’s go home.”
We pass a lot of bodies on the ground as we make our way out of the building, behind Alfie’s cousin and aunt. It’s not until we get outside and I see a line of cars that I turn and run.
“Fuck. Molly, stop!” Alfie is right behind me. I don’t stop, though. I look through the window of the first car. It’s empty. I then move on to the next one. “What are you doing?”
“I need to find him. Angus. I need to find him,” I try to explain.
All of a sudden, there are multiple people searching the cars before someone calls out, “Got him!”
I hold my breath. I know there is no chance that he survived.I know that.But there was a hope that maybe a miracle happened. That hope is squashed when I move towards the car where one of Alfie’s uncles is holding the door open.
He steps in front of me, stopping me from getting to the door. “You don’t need to see that, sweetheart.”
I stare up at the man. “Get out of my way.” My voice is firm. Angus calls it myball-bustingvoice. I’m not in the mood for this right now. I need my friend. “Now.”
“Molly, let me.” Alfie steps around his uncle and curses when he looks into the car. “He’s gone, Molly.”
“I know that. I’m not a fucking idiot, Alfie. I saw him get shot. He got shot because of me. He stood in front of me!” I yell. “I need to get him home. I need to call his parents. Oh my god, I have to tell his mother.”
I’m unraveling. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I need Angus here to help me with all this, and now he’s gone.
Alfie’s arms wrap around me, and he picks me up. “I’m taking you home. I’ll make sure Angus gets home too,” he says against my ear. “I’m so fucking sorry, Molly.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Idon’t know how to help her. Molly hasn’t stopped crying, and nothing I say or do is working. I’m lost. I know she’s grieving and coming to terms with losing her friend, but it’s fucking breaking my heart not being able to make her feel better.
Molly’s leaning against the edge of the counter as I run a bath. I’ve poured bubbles and salts and lit candles my mother insisted I needed in here but have never used. Until now.
“I wish I could take away your pain.” I sigh.
I unzip the back of Molly’s dress. She lets me peel it from her body without a word. Next, I remove her bra and panties and then take her hand and guide her to step into the tub.
Once she’s settles in the warm water, I turn towards the door, only to have her reach out and grip my hand. “Are you leaving?”
“I’m just going to the kitchen to get you some tea. I’ll be back.” Leaning down, I press my lips to the center of her forehead.
I need to do something, which is why I walk out and make my way into the kitchen. I turn the kettle on, pull a mug down, and find a chamomile tea bag. Molly mentioned she liked the stuff one night. I made sure I had it here the next day.
“How is she?” Mom’s voice has me glancing over a shoulder.
“She keeps crying. I don’t know how to make her stop,” I admit.
“You don’t, Alfie. You let that girl cry as much as she needs to and you be the shoulder she leans on while she’s doing it,” Mom says.
I nod, because what else can I do?
“You need to see a doctor and get your nose set.” Dad walks into the kitchen.
“I’m fine,” I grunt.
