Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
She lets out a chuckle and fucking proceeds to holster her gun right in front of everyone. Only then does she head back inside.
When I turn around, Saunders says, “Well, I, for one, totally understand why Knight is different with her. I mean…” He shakes his head, “God damn.”
“I’m going to kill you,” I warn him.
He holds his hands up in front of him while letting out a burst of laughter.
With a tip of my head, I indicate for Miller and Saunders to give me a moment alone with Davies.
I watch as they walk to the car, and when Miller lights a cigarette, I turn to look at Davies.
He gestures at my lip and mumbles something I can’t make out, but I assume it’s an apology.
“It’s okay. I deserved it.”
He shakes his head at me while our eyes lock. “That’s the problem, Link. You’re on this mission to make your life as miserable as possible. You’ve got this fucked up idea in your head that you need to suffer because Veronica was killed, and you couldn’t stop it.” He steps closer to me. “Don’t you hear how fucked up that is?”
I suck in a deep breath, and knowing I have to be honest with him or he won’t back down, I say, “I hear how fucked up it is, but I can’t change it.”
“Why not?”
“Because when I close my eyes, all I see is Ronnie...” The gruesome image flashes through my mind, the punch it delivers forcing me a step backward. “It’s all I fucking see…” I glance at the house, “Unless I’m around Cassia. The darkness isn’t as suffocating when I’m with her.”
I’ve only had two nightmares this past week. Even those are a little better.
I glance back at Davies. “I just don’t have it in me to maintain connections and put up an act that everything is fine because it will never be fine. I’ll never be the same again.” I wave a hand at nothing in particular. “This is my life now, Davies. I’m knee-deep in the underbelly of crime and don’t intend to ever leave.”
He takes a step closer to me. “Look, I understand why you’re here, killing fuckers like the ones who murdered Ronnie. I just don’t understand why you have to push me away.” He points at Miller and Saunders. “Why you’re pushing them away. We’ve been through hell with you, brother. You were there when I lost my leg and dragged my ass through the months of depression that followed, but you won’t let me do the same for you? How’s that fair?”
“I’m not depressed,” I mutter.
“No, you’re well past that.” He shows a tiny space between his forefinger and thumb. “You’re this close to blowing your brains out, aren’t you?”
When I shake my head, he takes another step closer. “Look me in the eye and tell me you haven’t sat with your loaded gun trying to work up the guts to pull the trigger.”
The fight with Cassia flashes through my mind, and I remember how I practically begged her to pull the trigger.
When I keep quiet, Davies shakes his head, heartbreak darkening his gray eyes. “I’ve been where you are, Link. You’re not going to get out of the darkness by yourself. Let us help.” He leans into me and places his hand on my shoulder. “At least let me help.”
I take a step backward. “I appreciate that you want to help me, Oliver, but…” I suck in a deep breath, “Cassia is good for me. She just lost her whole family in the attack.” I clear my throat, feeling uncomfortable as fuck having this talk with him. “She understands me.” I glance at the house again. “It’s nothing against you, man. It’s just easy to talk to her. I’ve told her things I’ve never told anyone.”
He nods and sucks in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “As long as you’re talking to someone.”
Christ, I’ve talked more in the past week than I have in a year. It feels like it’s all I’ve done since Cassia woke up in the hospital.
“Are we good?” I ask, feeling exhausted from the interaction.
“Yeah.” He looks at the house. “Fuck, this place is a dump.”
I let out a chuckle. “There’s only one bedroom. I didn’t think things through when I said everyone should meet here.”
“Clearly not. Can’t blame you, though. That girl of yours is feisty and probably keeps you on your toes.”
I nod, the corner of my mouth lifting in a smile. “Yeah, she does.”
“The guys and I will find a motel where we can crash. Let us know when everyone is here so we can meet to discuss the operation.”
I nod and walk with him to the car.
“Everything good?” Miller asks.
“Yes. We’re heading to a motel. Knight will call when everyone else has arrived.”