AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Something worse than hatred drips from Austin’s voice as he says, “Blame me for doing the right thing, I don’t care. At least I didn’t lead her to her death. She deserved better than you.”
Finn’s expression is blank, his voice hollow. “I know.” With his hands shoved deep into his pockets, he retreats until he’s next to Wren. “Your move, Rhett.”
My memory is fuzzy from there on out. In my mind, Austin isn’t Austin anymore. Half the time, he’s Ludo. The other half, he’s my father. His screams bring me a sick kind of satisfaction, and every time I make him bleed, some of my resentment and hate bleeds out, too.
I wish it was them—Ludo and Richard. One day, hopefully soon, it will be.
I don’t stop until I notice that blood isn’t dripping onto the ground anymore. It’s only then, looking down at the cold, lifeless heap on the floor, that I realize my hands have finally stopped shaking.
Chapter six
Elliot
Inthemorning,Iwake up alone. I have a vague memory of Rhett and Wren waking me up in the living room last night. When I made it to my room, I found Oliver sound asleep in my bed, waiting for me. The second I crawled under the covers, he cuddled up to me, and I kept him in my arms for most of the night.
Disappointment winds through my chest as I sit up. Oliver normally wakes before I do, and it’s already later than I typically sleep, so it makes sense that he’s gone. But I wish he was still here.
Groggily, I force myself out of bed and into the bathroom. As I brush my teeth, the rest of last night plays through my head.
Did Wren and Rhett make it back home okay?
Toothbrush still in my mouth, I rush back into my bedroom and grab my phone. Two text messages await me.
Rhett:Made it to Finn’s just fine.
Rhett:Home safe. Gonna try to get some sleep.
Relief floods my system, and I drop my phone on the bed.
After I finish getting ready for the day, I head downstairs. As I do, I can just make out a soothing melody coming from the living room. Oliver must be playing the piano.
Before I join him, I pop into the kitchen. The coffee pot is full, so I fill two mugs and add cream and sugar to Oliver’s. When I enter the living room, his eyes are immediately drawn to me.
A full smile forms on his face. “Hey, handsome.”
“Morning. Coffee?”
“Please.” He wraps his fingers around his mug, but before he takes a sip, he tilts his face up to me.
I kiss him for far longer than I need to. When I pull away, Oliver’s lids are heavy, and he breathes in a deep, happy sigh.
“You were gone when I woke up.” A little of my earlier disappointment seeps into my voice.
“You were gone when I fell asleep,” he counters. “I tried to wait for you this morning, but I got restless.”
“Did you sleep okay otherwise?” I slide onto the piano bench next to him, and he gladly makes room.
“Yeah. You?”
“Fine. I fell asleep on the couch in the living room last night. Woke up before Rhett and Wren left.”
Oliver frowns. “Left?”
“Rhett needed to let out some of his anger, and Wren went with him. They were only at Finn’s.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up and tell me?”
“You wouldn’t’ve been able to get back to sleep, Ol. You know that.”
