Page 63 of The Bitter Words

“Yeah. Why?”

“That’s what I was afra—I mean, that’s what I thought.” John rubs his neck. “Can I ask what you did?”

“It was some designer drug called Floating V. Why? Do you think that’s what spurred on Callum’s migraines? Did he have a bad reaction to them?” I smack my forehead with the heel of my palm. “Of course he did. He was sick the entire next day.”

The stuff Leon gave us. It knocked me out and was nothing like Leon described it would be.

It must have hit Callum poorly and caused this medical issue. This is all my fault.

Once again, I’m responsible for someone’s pain. “Shit! I need to fix this.”

John pumps the air with his hand like he’s telling me to calm down. “Stop, Livianna. Panicking won’t help him. He needs peace and quiet.”

“Okay, but I was the one who got him to do it. I didn’t think it would hurt him.”

John pulls back. His jaw tightens and he studies me.

He shakes his head and a shield goes over his eyes. “I don’t think you were involved, but were you two with?—”

“John. Livianna.” An angry, deep male voice comes from behind me.

I jump from the surprise and turn around to see Leon stalking toward us. His expression is tight and his gait is stiff, like he’s about to blow if someone says one wrong word.

“Leon. Hi. I didn’t know you were stopping by.” John shrinks in stature by at least two inches.

“I can only assume since she’s here, he’s inside.” Leoncharges by us. “He will get his ass to work. Even if it means I have to drag him there by his balls.”

“Leon, he’s been…sick.” John hurries to catch up to Leon.

I stand with wide eyes, trying to process what the hell is going on. I decide to stay back. Something about Leon’s aggressive stance is causing a slight tremble in me.

“You and your family think you’re smart enough to get around me.” Still marching toward the house, Leon glares at John. “What I can promise all of you is if he doesn’t get on board and get his ass to the studio, one by one, I’ll take each of you down.”

“No, no, Leon. You’re misreading the situation.” John rushes to get in front of Leon. “Cash really is ill.”

“I don’t give a fuck about his stupid little head injury. He better get over it or else I’ll be forced to release all the information I have about the Mayze family.” Leon jerks his flexed chest toward John. “You don’t want me to do that, do you, John?”

He cowers and shakes his head. They get to the front door and stop. When John doesn’t move to open it, Leon explodes.

“Don’t make me kick this fucking door down because if I do, that will be minor in comparison to what I’ll do when I get inside!” He bares his teeth.

Holy hell. I don’t know what this is about, but I’m afraid to find out. I’m frozen in terror.

Leon’s chest rises and falls in quick succession as he waits. In a split second, he must realize I’m witnessing all of this. He squares his shoulders and makes direct eye contact with me.

Something sinister spins in his gaze and he points my way. “And if I have to use you to get it, I will.”

Chapter Fourteen

CALLUM/CASH

Then

Family Knives & Ashes Of The Past

Family isn’t blood… It’s a shadow with a blade, waiting for me to mistake it for love.

“Get up, Cash.” A strong yank of my arm from Leon brings me out of my fog.