Page 43 of Deadly Little Hearts

I fall back into the couch, pushing the frozen peas against my eye.I’m fucked if I do and fucked if I don’t.Maybe setting up that tent on the tracks isn’t such a bad idea.That way, I’m not picking anyone.Create my own little town, Daring-Frey-town.That’s sounding like the winner in this situation.I’ll even make a flag and claim my area.

“I can’t protect you if you’re with them.”

“I don’t need to be protected, and I can’t choose.”

Silence follows my statement, and I cling to my cards, letting the frozen peas fall to the ground.My cheek feels swollen and cool.Kai passes me a cup filled with box red wine, and I take it from him, swallowing down the burned grapes.

“Let’s get fucked up.That’s tomorrow’s problem,” Kai says, and the corner of my mouth lifts.

Now, that’s the best thing he’s said all night.Tonight, I’m going to let go and forget about all this shit.

I reach out, landing my hands on the couch, and push myself up.My legs wobble and my head spins.The room sways like I’m on a boat and the wine threatens to spill from my lips.Fuck me dead.

Bear and Zion are talking to each other in low whispers, while Kai is passed out on the couch beside me.We’ve been playing cards all night, and I’m way too drunk.

My shin smashes against the table between us.Pain shoots up my leg, and I curse.

Bear snorts.“There’s a table there, kid.Can’t you see?”

“Fuck off,” I growl, then chuckle under my breath.

I manage to walk around the table and toward the door.I need some fresh air before I throw up.Kai’s trailer is in a hell of a mess.Bottles line every surface, and the smell of smoke tickles my nose.Fucking gross.

After taking my phone from my leggings, I find a text from the private number.My stomach drops.When is my stalker freak going to give up?

Unknown: If you think your boys miss you, you’re dead wrong.Stay where you belong.

I squeeze my eyes shut and push my phone into my pocket.Fuck them.They don’t know shit.

Walking outside, I pull the door closed behind me, and the crisp morning air kisses my swollen cheek.The sun rises over the horizon, casting the sky in a yellow-and-orange hue.It’s beautiful.

I stand there for several seconds, or minutes, mesmerized by the sky before I have to pee.Not wanting to go back inside, I move around the trailer to the back.There’s a couple of trees back here, and I lean against one, pulling my leggings down.Once I’m finished, I stand and pull them back over my ass.

A twig snaps, followed by the distinct sound of footsteps, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.Fuck, I’m too drunk to deal with anyone.I peek around the tree, looking for whoever’s here, but I find no one.The trailer park is quiet, apart from the low birdcalls overhead.

My shoulders relax slightly and then there’s a shift in the air.I whirl around, but I’m too late.Hands wrap around my waist and a bag falls over my head.I scream, but it’s muffled by the bag.The air around me closes in.

I kick and throw my arms out, hitting someone behind me.They groan but don’t let go.The arms around my stomach tighten, and I’m shoved forward.My legs give out, and I fall face-first to the ground.I land with a heavy thud and everything disappears.

Chapter 23

Hazen

Freya’sheadrestsinmy lap, her soft snores filling Gage’s car.I gently brush my fingers over her swollen cheek, anger coursing through me.Who the fuck did this to her?I’m going to find out and kill that motherfucker.

It wasn’t my idea to throw a bag over her head and kidnap her, but here we are, driving through the streets of Daringhood, avoiding any of the major roads and trying to get back over the tracks.It was a risk coming here without more members of our Brotherhood to protect us if shit went south, but Freya wasn’t answering any of our calls and we were worried.The piece-of-shit car we borrowed blends in with the streets, so no one recognizes us.Thank fuck.

When she finally wakes up, well, it won’t be pretty.I’ll take her anger and anything else she throws at us, and I’d do it all over again to ensure she’s by our side.Protected.I didn’t protect her back when we were kids, and that’s my biggest regret.I won’t ever make that mistake again.

Lucas looks over his shoulder, staring at Freya with his eyebrows drawn together, then his lip pulls back in a half smile.It’s gone just as quickly before he turns back around and grabs his bottle of vodka.

He’s still hurting—that much is evident.After the bombing, when he went with Freya to the hospital, I thought they sorted their shit out, but apparently not.He’s still drinking recklessly and hardly talks to us.I hate to admit it, and I wouldn’t get caught telling him this, but I miss his smart-ass remarks and playfulness.It’s weird seeing him like this.

“Thinknowyou’ll sort things out with her?”I ask, and Lucas freezes with the bottle halfway to his mouth.All I hear are the soft snores coming from Freya in the quiet that follows.

“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll drop it,” Lucas mumbles, and I roll my eyes.

“Not when it affects all of us.We’re in this relationship together, and we need to know where you stand.”

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