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They’re right. They’re all right. Rachel first. It’s our job to get her through this day. She’s been one of us for months now. Had our backs, fought at our side, spent countless sleepless nights with us. Her and Alec are family. We lost family. We can’t let her stand alone. Not today.
“I’ll be right back,” I whisper, my voice rough from my raw throat. I leave them behind me, knowing they’re exchanging glances as they look at one another. Wondering what I’m doing.
I head straight for my closet, pulling out the item I bought on a whim when I saw it but hesitated over doing anything with it. I was right to buy it but I was wrong to leave it hanging, all but forgotten in the back of my closet. It’s time to fix that mistake.
At least it’s black.
Rachel looksas elegant as ever.
A long, black dress forms to her body and hits her mid-calf, her signature black red bottoms on her feet, her dark hair pulled back off her face.
She looks put together and perfect. Like great care and thought went into picking out her outfit. Time was taken in getting dressed and putting on her accessories, so everything looked just so. Careful precision was used as she painted on her mask creating the prettiest picture.
But all it took was a second look to see the cracks in her facade. The bags under her eyes that concealer couldn’t quite cover. The once long, lean lines of her body now frail as if a gust of wind would be enough to blow her away.
She stands tall but without the power that normally radiates off of her.
She’s a shell of the woman we’ve all come to know and love.
Jade clings to her arm, her face puffy and tear stained. Ian, Holden, and Tyler stand just a few paces away, throwing cautious glances at where Nic stands.
His grief is as palpable as Rachel’s.
Deep lines in his face that weren't there the last time we all saw him. He’s completely withdrawn from us. Ever since Luca told him Alec was gone, we haven’t heard a word from him. We wanted to be there for him too, but he made it clear that was the last thing he wanted.
I don’t think he will be his usual antagonistic self today. Grief can pull out the worst in us, but I’ve seen how much he cares for Rachel. See the furtive looks he’s giving her every few seconds. Almost as if he’s worried she may disappear on him too. He won’t do anything that brings her harm. Not today. He’s too desolate to risk losing her as well.
She hasn’t noticed our arrival yet. I fold the jacket I brought over my arm, careful not to crease it as I approach Rachel and Jade.
Jade notices me first, giving me a small smile as she lifts her head off of Rachel’s shoulder. It should astound me at how close the two of them have gotten, but after everything Jade went through, Rachel was a rock for her. Her and Alec both gave Jade another tie to tether her to this world. Support to lend her strength while she was still finding hers.
We’ve all grown closer through this bloody war. Bleeding Roses really wasn’t far off the mark. We’ve drawn our fair share of blood, but we’ve bled too. Right now we are all torn open, feeling the wounds of war, paying the price of revenge.
“Scar,” Rachel croaks as her eyes fly to mine. “Thank you for coming.” Her voice gives away how much she’s cried over the last week. Her makeup may cover some of the signs, but she can’t hide the rawness of her throat from days of sobbing.
I don’t respond to her empty platitude. She knew we were all going to be here. Knew we would never have missed this.
There’s been no sign of Romano since the auction. Not a whisper on the wind of his whereabouts. Only that he’s abandoned everything. Left it all behind as soon as he got our little present.
There’s very little chance of him showing his face here. Not when so many people he wouldn't dare touch are here as well. Including the Alvarados, I note with surprise. They’re an elusive family, not one to mix with big crowds like this.
“This is for you,” I say instead, lifting the blazer in my hands and gently wrapping it around her shoulders. Luca steps up on my right while Kade does on my left. “Red is a retired color now,” I announce, projecting my voice enough for those around us to stop and take notice.
The lines between our different lives have been blurred through this war. The roses that once only represented our dancers now standing for so much more. Something unbreakable. Something to be respected. To be feared.
Rachel looks down at the black suede blazer I just rested on her shoulder, her eyes catch on the single, vibrant red rose embroidered onto the left lapel. Her mouth parts open in shock as her eyes dart back to mine.
She cocks her head to the side, looking over at Jade where she’s also wearing her blue rose today. “Not blue?” she questions.
I had a feeling she was going to ask. I give her a soft smile. “You’re not one of mine,” I explain. Her smile drops for half a second before I finish, “You’re one of us,” I clarify, making the distinction clear.
Britt and Jade are mine. Under my protection, under my authority, under my wing. Rachel doesn’t need me. She stands on equal footing with me.
Understanding dawns on her as tears fill her eyes. “You’re a Rose. We’re bleeding now but we won’t for long. As someone just reminded me, there’s nothing Roses do better than revenge.”
She slips her arms into the blazer and it fits her perfectly. Matching her outfit as if we had planned it.
Nic watches from a distance, his face settling as he watches her accept my gesture. He doesn’t have it in him to smile, and he may deny it, but as he gives me a clipped dip of his head, I can tell he’s glad Rachel has us.
