AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My chest heaves as he slumps to the floor, no longer a concern of mine as I wipe the blade off on his t-shirt and tuck it into his leather jacket.
“You tell the Reaper I’ll be seeing him soon, just not today,” I murmur, before turning to what is going on with Euro and the other Brute. Euro’s arms are braced around his neck, a weak chokehold keeping him at bay as blood splatters across Euro’s t-shirt.
I take one step toward them when the door opens and Porter steps into the room. The smirk that’s on his face is short-lived as he pauses, taking in the sight before him. “You better clear your fucking men out of here before I continue to wreak havoc on this motherfucker as well.”
TWENTY-SIX
Scarlett
Swampedin my old Puddle of Mudd hoodie and a pair of baggy sweats, I curl my hands into the oversized sleeves as I shuffle to the kitchen. My face is hidden with the hood pulled up. Sleep wasn’t my friend last night, neither were my racing thoughts. Drenched in a world of memories and fear as my chest constricted with every breath, I feel like death. Just like I do every time my anxiety gets a hold of me. My childhood reminding me very clearly that I am who I am today because of it.
With groggy eyes and a cloudy brain, I almost fall into Maggie, but her hands on my arms stop me. That’s what I get for walking with my head down and not paying attention.
She runs her fingers over the edge of my hood, pushing it back a little as I lift my face. “I’m sorry,” I murmur, the words spilling from my mouth in a whisper.
Her smile is soft as she keeps her fingers gently at my arms. “Well, now you can see better, so you’ll know where you’re going.”
“Not for that… well, yeah for that, but also for last night.”
I feel overwhelmed, embarrassed and completely mortified. No one ever sees. No one. At the Ice Reapers, I always hid away, never immersing myself in club life and the bar scene. If the cops showed up, I was silently rocking in my room, waiting for them to leave. It was never so public.
Maggie’s eyes crinkle as her thumb rubs soothingly over my hoodie. “Honey, we all have demons. You can be mad, sad, happy, or anything in between, but don’t ever be apologetic for the life that was dealt to you. We all keep our head above water as best as we can, but sometimes life sweeps the rug from under our feet and we’re not prepared for it.”
Unshed tears prick the back of my eyes, but I sink my nails into my palms, forcing them to stay at bay. Her words soothe my heart, but my head refuses to let me be vulnerable again.
Taking a deep breath, I nod at her. She takes a step back, giving me the space I need. “Coffee?”
Just like that she reads the signs and changes the subject. Where did this woman come from? And how the hell did such an angel find herself here of all places?
“Please.”
She moves around the kitchen effortlessly as I move toward the table, standing behind a chair as I brace my hands on the back of it.
“We got word that Emmett is ready for release, so Gray and Ryker have gone to pick him up.”
My heart races in my chest while I somehow feel a sense of relief wash over me. “Have they said what he was taken in for?”
She shakes her head, glancing back at me with a dark look on her face. “No. Which means something isn’t right, but hopefully we'll get more information when he’s home.”
I nod, about to respond, when her gaze passes through me. A smile spreads across her face before I turn to see what has her attention, only to come face-to-face with Axel.
Fuck.
I really don’t need him berating me again this morning. I can’t fucking take it.
I’m surprised to see him not glaring at me like an asshole as he assesses me. His hair is tied in a bun, his eyes dark and tired, but there are no sunglasses for a change. I can see the torment swirling in his iris’, burning the man repeatedly in front of me as he adjusts his cut over his plain black tee.
He remains quiet for a few seconds longer than I expect, so I turn back to the table, praying it stays that way when his voice cuts through the air. “I have something for you.”
Phew.
He’s not talking to me either. I can sip my coffee while Maggie takes a look at whatever he’s talking about.
Pulling out the chair in front of me, I move to take a seat when Maggie clears her throat and murmurs my name. She’s standing beside the table now with my coffee in hand, but she’s nodding at the man behind me.
“What?”
“Axel has something for you.”
