Page 83 of Diamonds in the Mud

“Slashed his throat.” I motioned. I wanted to add that it pissed me off, but I knew it wouldn’t matter to Ben.

“We’ll get them back,” Ben said.

“Who?” I asked.

Ben’s eyes narrowed. “You’re in no shape. We’ve got you on this one.”

“Who?” I asked again. “It’s personal.”

Ben shook his head. “You’re sitting this one out.” He stopped at my place. “Get some rest. Take a few days to heal. Let me know if you need… anything.”

I nodded. I was feeling nauseous, so I climbed out of the truck and headed upstairs.

I stumbled into my loft apartment, each step sending waves of pain radiating through my bruised ribs. The taste of blood lingered on my lips, and I could feel the sting of a fresh cut on my cheek. I reached up to touch the tender skin around my eye, wincing as I felt the telltale swelling beneath my fingertips.

With a sigh of relief, I made my way to the bathroom. I stripped off my fresh clothes, which were now stained with blood, and stepped into the hot spray of the shower. The water cascaded over me, washing away the grime and blood that clung to my skin, but no amount of scrubbing could erase the memories of the beating I had endured or the image of the dead teen.

I downed a couple of aspirin and drank what felt like a gallon of water and then pulled on a pair of shorts. Exhausted and sore, I collapsed onto the bed, the soft mattress offering little comfort to my aching body. I closed my eyes, hoping to find some respite in sleep, but my mind refused to quiet, replaying the events of the night over and over again. The empty look in the high school kid’s eyes. Knowing the pain that would come to his family with today’s sad news.

Finally, exhaustion overtook me, pulling me into a fitful sleep plagued by nightmares of violence and death.

When I awoke, the sunlight streaming through the windows cast a warm glow over the room. I blinked away the remnants of sleep, my eyes slowly focusing on the figure standing at the foot of my bed.

“Rayne?” I croaked, my voice rough from disuse.

She smiled softly, her eyes filled with concern as she approached me. “Jasmine called me. How are you feeling?”

I winced as I shifted, the pain in my ribs flaring to life once more. “Could be worse,” I muttered, forcing myself into a sitting position.

Rayne nodded, her expression sympathetic as she reached for the first aid kit on my bedside table. Had she set that there? How had she gotten into my place? How long had I been out?

“Let me help you with those cuts,” she said, her voice gentle as she began to bandage the wounds on my face. “Want to tell me about it?”

As she worked, I filled her in on the events of the previous night—the ambush in the hotel room, the discovery of the dead high school student.

Rayne listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration as she processed the information. “Sounds like you stumbled onto something,” she said finally, her voice tinged with concern.

I nodded, a knot forming in my stomach as I realized just how deeply I had unwittingly waded into danger.

“Ben seemed to know who jumped me,” I added. “He claims they’ll pay them back.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I’ll keep my eyes out for the Reaper’s retribution.”

I leaned back on the headboard. “I didn’t know what to tell them, how I’d gotten out of this,” I mumbled. “Shit, I fucked up.” I took her hand in mine. “I dropped my guard.”

She frowned at me. “Why?”

My eyes locked with hers. “You know why.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then leaned in and brushed her lips gently over mine.

“You rest here,” she said, “I’ll make you something to eat.”

I nodded gratefully, sinking back onto the pillows as Rayne disappeared into the kitchen.

I glanced at my windows, only now afraid that she’d be seen in my apartment. Then I realized I didn’t give a fuck. It was the middle of the day, and Ben had just told me to take time off.

I’d wager every member of the Reapers was elsewhere, plotting to pay back whoever had jumped me. The last thing they’d do was watch my place.