Page 57 of Love Me

“In a way, all three of them are already dead.”

“Were you initiated?”

“Not like them. I just had to pledge my loyalty. I am in without it. They helped me construct an image that wouldn’t raise suspicion, and the Family accepted it. I owe them my sanity. Like you owe Kaden your freedom.”

Two competing cars line up at the start line. My heart thumps in my ears, deafening me. A slender girl sashays to the start line, and when she swings the checkered flag down, Blake shoots out first in his McLaren.

Dust lifts off the ground, creating a small tornado. I think his car went over the cliff for a second, only to see he’s the first across the finish line.

I look at Bailey differently now. How strong she must be among friends who are so damn unconscious or not willing to admit their suicidal tendencies.

Next is Abigail, and she blows Dane a kiss while he mutters something under his breath.

Panic constricts my muscles. Bailey places a hand on mine, offering a bright smile. “I thought you didn’t care. I am glad you do.”

I am mesmerized by how Abigail maneuvers her black Porsche 911, leaving her competitor in the dust, and wins.

“She’s good.”

“She’s phenomenal.”

I see Kaden step inside his car. How did I miss this? I move to run to him to stop him when Bailey grips my elbow.

“He has it the hardest. He needs it the most.”

“Death? He needs death the most?”

Pain smashes my insides into smithereens, leaving me bereft.

“He’ll be fine,” she says, voice soft and compassionate.

A full-blown shiver rocks me. My knees weaken, threatening to give up on me. If I lose him, my heart won’t ever recover. Chest caving in on me, I choke on a lungful of air. I might never see him again. One wrong turn, and poof, he’s gone.

Gathering the last of my strength, I take off, needing to escape from this place.

My fingers shake as I embrace myself and tears stream down my face. I stop, not being able to see a damn thing. I am drowning in a river of anguish, standing no chance against its merciless currents.

Approaching the cliff's edge, the ocean whips at the stone. The half-moon reflects on the endless water, creating a soothing image but it doesn’t alleviate the pain suffocating me. I sink to my ass, my feet dangling over the side. Somehow, I know, it’s peace he’s seeking.

An angry beast parks. I am certain it’s him, interrupting my personal moment. I am grieving, or preparing myself for the impending grief.

What is betrayal? What is treason? Nothing matters if I lose him for good.

Kaden takes a seat next to me. His presence disintegrates the chokehold agony has on me.

“You wanted to see. Don’t tell her.”

“You hate her that much, huh?”

“You have no idea, but this is not about Grandmother.”

A shadow of a smile paints his face. He leans back on his palms, staring at the sky peppered with stars.

“Why?”

“Careful, Sky. I might interpret that as caring.”

I am raw, open, and sensitive, and he has the nerve to appear smug.

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