Axel takes a step closer while Zed’s grip on me strengthens. “I’m gonna ask you one more time where the hell my sister is, and if you don’t tell me, this bat will meet your skull.” His voice grows louder with each word and even on his side in this, I feel the wrath of his fury.
Zed chuckles. “Should’a known these guys would call big brother for help.”
“I don’t give a shit what you do to these guys you call your friends. I’m here for Marni and I will be leaving with her.” Knox and Kip close in as Axel steps even closer to us.
Lars has yet to show his face, but I know he’s around.
The flapping of feet on the steps draws closer and closer until Marni is fleeing into the room and throwing herself in Axel’s arms. He takes a step back, examining her and running his fingers through her hair. “Are you ok? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” She turns around and looks at me. Our eyes catch and a sadness lingers behind them. Zed said he told her everything. What she doesn’t know is that I didn’t divulge that information to protect her. Also, because there is so much more that even Zed doesn’t know. The fleeting moment of our locked gazes passes, then her eyes drop and she turns back to Axel. “Let’s get the hell outta here.”
Axel looks from Marni to me. “What about them?”
“They can take care of themselves. It’s what they do best.” She grabs his arm and pulls him toward the direction of the kitchen, while Knox and Kip follow behind.
Axel points his finger at Zed before leaving. “This isn’t over, King. There will come a time when you’re alone with no witnesses around. When that time comes, you better run, mother fucker.”
I wanna scream at Marni to stop and to let me explain, but I have to handle Zed first. Once I do, I’ll make her understand. She’ll come back to me. She has to.
“Well, you lost the girl. Ready to give up the fight?” Zed grumbles in my ear as he continues to brace me.
Tommy stands by idly with apprehension in his eyes. Unsure what he should do to help, but there isn’t anything he can do. I have to do this one on my own. “Go find Lars and wait for me at the truck. I’ll be out soon,” I tell him.
Tommy’s eyes question my sanity, but I nod. “Just go.”
Once he’s gone, Zed continues with his threats and insults. “That was fucking stupid. And here I thought you were the smart one of this bunch.”
“I’m not your enemy, Zed.” I repeat the words again.
His hold on my shoulder tightens, causing his forearm to press aggressively against my throat. “You are the enemy.”
With my voice box constricted, I sputter, “He did this to you. Not me. Pastor Jeffries is the enemy.” It’s the first time I’ve ever mentioned the old man to Zed. As far as he’s been concerned, no one knows what happened. But I know. I know every dirty detail.
“What the hell did you just say?” He squeezes with so much force that I can feel my air supply diminish with each passing second.
“I know.” I manage to choke out.
“Know what?” Zed releases his grip on me and I buckle over, drawing in long breaths.
My back is to him while I’m gripping my knees, bent over coughing and sucking in air. “I’ve known for a long time. Seen it with my own eyes at the Christmas party in sixth grade.”
“Fucking liar.” He spits.
“Why would I lie about this? How else could I possibly know?”
“Who else knows?” He stomps his foot to the floor. “Who else?”
Straightening my back, I turn around to face him. “No one else. I’ve never told anyone what I saw.”
He sweeps his hand through the air. “You didn’t see anything. You’re making shit up.”
“Am I?” He knows damn well that I’m telling the truth. Making this up would be too much of a crazy coincidence. “We can make him pay, Zed. You deserve your peace, just as much as the rest of us.”
Something ticks inside of him, and he’s at my front, gripping the collar of my shirt. “You paying is all that will bring me peace.”
“I think you’re just searching so deep that you’re looking for any answers, even if they’re the wrong ones. It’s not me you want. Deep down you know that your mom’s death was on her own hands.” When there’s a flicker in his eyes and he releases my shirt, I know that I’m breaking through his walls.
“Get the hell out of here.” He points to the door and screams, “Go!”
“From start to finish, Zed. You’ve done some fucked-up shit, but I know what it feels like to have your insides twisted and drained because someone stole your dignity. You fight like hell to hide the pain, but eventually, you have no fight left inside, because the only person you’re battling is yourself.”
With that, I walk out and leave him standing there. Alone in his own misery. I’m not sure if he’s gonna be ok. But that’s not my problem anymore. If he needs a hand getting his salvation, I’ll be there. Because we made this pact in blood and I stand by my word. I’ll never forgive him for what he did to Marni, though. There’s no going back after that.
26
“Again?” Shay asks from the doorway of her bedroom.
I nod. “Yep.” Tucking my phone under the pillow, I roll over and face the wall.
“Just shut it off. Maybe he’ll take a hint.”
That would be the logical thing to do. But I don’t. Talon hasn’t taken a break from calling me since last night. His finger must be hovering over the redial button, because every time I hit end, it starts again. The crazy thing is,
