Page 46 of Chaos Kills

And that’s a problem.

“I should’ve married her,” I mutter, standing in front of him and staring off into the direction she left. “Then I could’ve pulled a Game of Thrones red wedding scene.”

“No,” he mumbles because, for some reason, I don’t see Oz pulling the trigger on that woman.

Ever.

No matter what she did or how she used him, he will always keep her alive.

“We can’t keep living like this,” I reply evenly. “Especially you. How do you think Bay is going to feel when Vivian keeps trying to get to you?”

Ozzy’s dark blues flick up to me but, honestly, I have no clue how Bay would react or what their dynamic is. I haven’t seen it yet.

“It looks like it’s just me and you right now.” Ozzy gives me a curt nod. “Scale from one to ten…how likely is it that Torin is going to kill her?”

“Zero,” Ozzy prompts confidently.

“Alright then.” I lightly slap his shoulder. “Which one do you want?”

Ozzy blows out a silent exhale. What I mean is who is going to babysit who? “Reeve.”

“Son of a bitch,” I grumble because, of course, I’m left with the most pain in the ass on this side of the earth. “You’re a dick.”

Ozzy chuckles faintly at that and begins for his room.

I’m worried, I’m not going to lie.

Because who’s going to babysit him?

TWELVE

bay

I wishI could take credit for most of this, but Levi was the one who chose and organized Dad’s funeral arrangements.

From the casket to the flowers, right down to the songs that would be playing during the viewing—a mix of 70s bands that didn’t make it any less depressing—Ellie, Mae, and I have been zombies.

They cried for hours as I held each of their hands in mine while we sat at the funeral parlor for God knows how long. Folks came and tried to pay their respects, but they took the hint we weren’t doing well.

Nothing was going to make this right or better. We lost someone who loved us all dearly, and I’m the lucky one. I got to spend the most time with him. Ellie has barely gotten to pull the whole teenager, I-know-everything bullshit, and Mae…she’ll start to lose memories of him as time goes by.

And we’ll all start to forget the sound of his voice.

Levi has been acting as a guard dog and personal bodyguard. He hasn’t left our sides once. Every bathroom break, he’s outside silently waiting and guiding us back to our seats. He has one of his boys grab water, snacks, and small things for us to eat. Only one person or group at a time could speak to us—or try—and Idid my best to show my appreciation to the town who helped Dad raise me and always had our back.

We would be watched and handled with care in this town. The one we plan on leaving, and I felt guilty as each person stood up and spoke of fond memories with Dad, each one making a promise that they would look out for us but always sending small glances at Levi because they know it’s covered.

At Levi’s request, no one came with us to the cemetery. I appreciated the peace and fucking quiet for once without a million people staring at us.

Especially when we watch the cemetery workers lower Dad’s casket six feet deep, and I finally lose it.

Levi stands behind me in silent comfort, while my two sisters sob and whimper. His warmth, which I feel wrapping around me and radiating at my spine, didn’t change this.

There are no takebacks.

We’re lost to the world alone, with only each other, and there’s no bringing our once-formed family back.

He’s gone.

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