Page 113 of Twisted Fate

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He asked absently, his attention still focused on my arm.

“For getting Slash killed,” I whispered, hating that I sounded so weak.

His face cracked slightly as he looked up at me, his voice pained.

“Baby girl, it’s not your fault.”

Liar.

“But…”

“Slash does what he wants. Apparently, dying to save you was his decision. Nothing could have changed his mind, I promise you that,” he explained, his fingers skimming over the rest of my arm as he started to look for more damage.

I knew he wouldn’t find any.

I also knew that he was touching me to prove to himself that I was okay, so I let him without argument.

“I couldn’t love him like he loved me. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. I should have listened to you and just stayed away, then this wouldn’t have happened,” I managed to force out as my voice broke and tears fell.

He instantly shuffled closer and pulled me against his chest to hold me, letting me cry it out, before moving back to talk as I calmed.

“I’ve got to go tell Holloway and the guys what’s gone down. Will you be okay here with Diesel and Hunter?”

“Can I go with you?” I croaked out, his hand cupping my cheek to wipe a tear with his thumb.

“You want to? I think you should rest, baby. You’ve had too much shock today.”

I shook my head, wiping my eyes and sitting up as I pulled myself together.

“No, I need to be there. Ty…”

“Hey, you can come, it was just a suggestion. Ty will appreciate you being there, he’s going to need you,” he murmured, helping me off the bed and taking my hand to lead me down to the loungeroom.

A few of the guys from both crews were in the kitchen, giving me a small nod as I entered, but Hunter gave Skeeter a worried glance.

“Where are you guys going?”

Skeeter met his eye, replying in a low voice.

“We’re going to let Ty and the guys know what’s happened. He was Ty’s best friend, other than Holloway. Rory wants to come along and make sure he’s okay. It’s going to hit him hard.”

“Is that a good idea?”

I knew Skeeter felt me tense, because he replied quickly before I could protest.

“Yeah, man. He’ll need her there, trust me. Someone stick around here and keep an eye out, okay? I’ll talk soon.”

Hunter nodded, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze as we walked out to Skeeter’s McLaren.

The drive over was silent, and the moment we pulled up out the front of Jensen’s place, panic started to overtake me.

“Skeet, what if he blames me? I can’t…”

“He won’t, baby. You can stay in the car if you want, but I think he’ll want you in there. He’s not going to want to cuddle one of the guys if he loses it, but he might appreciate one from you.”

I slowly nodded, following him into the house, suddenly wishing I’d gotten changed.