Page 146 of Burn Like An Angel

“That wasn’t your choice.”

“None of this was, Rip. Doesn’t change the fact that I haven’t been there for her.”

Linking his arm with mine, I squeeze tightly. “You’re here now. And you aren’t alone.”

Taking a deep breath, he nods and begins to walk into the graveyard. Sunshine beats down on us, bouncing off polished marble headstones adorned with dried and fresh flowers.

We walk all the way to the back where the newer graves are located. Lennox’s tentative steps slow beneath a tall apple tree, laden with unripe fruit. He stops in front of a moss-speckled stone, third from the left.

My eyes water as I read the inscription.

Daisy Nash.

Our beautiful angel.

The dirt streaks on her headstone and lack of flowers break my heart. There’s been no one to visit Daisy for a long time, not while Lennox has been serving his sentence. Her grave is unadorned.

I release Lennox’s arm. “Wait here.”

At the base of the apple tree, a cluster of wildflowers have sprouted. They aren’t much, but I gather up the colourful pops of indigo blue, yellow and vibrant purple.

He raises an eyebrow when I walk back over. “Here.”

“What are they for?”

“You can lay them on her grave.”

Taking the picked flowers from me, Lennox studies the makeshift bunch for a moment. He then splits them into two halves and passes one back to me.

“Do it with me?”

I take the flowers, my chest twinging. “Of course.”

Together we lay the tiny bunches in front of Daisy’s gravestone. The natural sprigs immediately brighten up the sad scene. Lennox remains kneeling while I shuffle back to give him space.

“Sorry I haven’t come by for a while, Dais. I… uh, made some choices. Got myself in a bit of trouble. I’m okay, though. Don’t worry about me.”

He runs his hand over the inscription, tracing her name.

“Happy birthday, squirt. I miss you every day. I’d give anything to feel you yanking my sleeve and begging to go for ice cream one last time. I never should’ve taken those moments for granted.”

Lennox’s head lowers, shielding his face. I can hear his quickening breathing, matching each time his shoulders shake. The remains of my heart splinter at the sight of him crying for his baby sister.

I’ve come to realise it’s a misconception that bad people don’t feel pain or regret. Oftentimes, those who’ve been forced to make the most awful decisions do so from a place of immense pain.

Lennox is no different.

All his choices, even the most morally questionable ones, have come from such deep-rooted trauma, it’s a wonder he’s alive at all. His fierce protective instincts have led him to many dark places.

“I don’t blame you for what you did, but I wish you’d talked to me.” His sonorous voice breaks. “I’d have gotten you out, Dais. I would’ve protected you from him.”

Kneeling beside him, I wrap an arm around Lennox’s broad back. His head presses against my shoulder, the sound of his quiet sobbing filling the warm breeze. There’s nothing I can do but hold him.

“I failed her,” Lennox whispers brokenly.

“No. This cruel world failed Daisy. Not you.”

“She needed someone to save her, Rip. I didn’t do it.”

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