Page 92 of His End Game

I grab her backpack with her tablet and the little trinkets she likes to carry around with her and pass it over to him.

“Hey, Ray, come here a minute,” I say before she goes to run off.

I wrap my arms around her and squeeze her tight. She giggles into my neck, and I cherish the sound.

“You’re such a good girl. I love you,” I whisper in her ear for only her to hear.

“Love you too, Holly.”

I feel a hot tear roll down my cheek, and not wanting Cas to see, I keep my head buried in her hair as cover and wipe it away. Pulling away from her, I kiss her nose and force a smile for her.

“Be good for Grandma and Grandpa.”

“I will. See you later.”

“Bye,” I choke out, barely above a whisper.

I let go, and she runs off toward Alannah.

“You good?” Cas asks, his eyes narrowed and far too seeing for my liking.

“I’m fine.”

“You want us to drop her off or are you picking her up?”

If they drop her off, they’ll end up having to wait.

“I’ll pick her up.”

I climb back into my car before he calls me out and start the engine. Like the cabin, I take one last look and smile, seeing her call for Cas.

Through hot, heavy tears, I watch her in my rearview mirror all the way till she becomes a blurry dot and I have to pull out onto the road.

There’s one place I need to go before I say my last goodbye to a town that’s only brought me pain.

I lay a single rose down on the white marble headstone and step back. I haven’t been in a couple of weeks, and I know Leo hasn’t been by because they’re no fresh flowers.

“This is weird. I feel like I’m letting you down,” I say out loud. I’ve never said anything to her unless it’s been about Leo or Rayna but today, I need to talk to her for my own peace of mind. “If you can hear me somehow, I just want to say I’m sorry for leaving Rayna like this. She’s a great kid and I’m sure wherever you are, you’re so proud of her. She’s so beautiful, just like you were. I’ve heard how Leo’s changed since you passed and I understand that I’ll never know that version of him, but I’ve fallen in love with who he is now. He’s the only one I feel safe with yet still hovering on the edge of danger. But I can’t keep being pushed away. I’m sorry you were so cruelly taken away from your life. In some way, I wish you were still here just so he would be happy.”

I scrub my face and clear the tears and take a deep breath. “I’ve never loved anyone before, but I know it’s not meant to hurt like this. I love him so much, Rayna too. I don’t know how I’m going to live without them, but I can’t stay. If you are watching over, I guess you’ve seen everything that’s happened. From what I’ve heard about you, I don’t think you’d put yourself through it either. I’m going to miss them so much, but it’ll be better for Rayna to not have to feel the tension around her because I can’t not feel what’s in my heart.”

A rumble of thunder rolls across the sky and a few beats later, a strike of lightning follows. Raindrops hit my face and I know it’s time to wrap this up.

“I just wanted you to know I’m so sorry I couldn’t stay for your little girl.”

I make it to my car just before the rain pelts down and soaks me through. I’m not sure if it’s my tears or the raindrops dripping down my face but either way, using my sleeve, I dry my face and start the engine.

I drive toward the town border, but the rain is coming down too hard. The wipers can barely work fast enough for me to see the road. I pull into the motel parking lot and book a room.

The television plays in the background just so I don’t feel as alone. The last time I was in this motel, I was tied up in a bathroom. I push the memories away and concentrate on not freaking out. This isn’t the same and once the storm passes, I’ll be on my way.

A knock at the door has my heart rate spiking to unhealthy measures and I jump up, peeking out from behind the curtain. Harper? She’s huddled under an umbrella, and I rush to open the door and let her in.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, then add, “How did you know I was here?”

“One of the brothers saw you coming in and since Leo’s M.I.A., he let JJ know as he thought it strange.”

She goes through and dumps the umbrella in the bathtub and then holds her hands on her hips, facing me, waiting for answers.

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