Page 36 of The Silence of Hell

“Lavender…”

“No, you’ve hurt me enough. Just take me where I need to be,” I demanded, and we both fell silent.

The Harley roared, and Chatter headed out. I held on but didn’t relax until we hit the compound.

Chatter

He barely refrained from scowling at Fanatic and then wondered why he was. Chatter’s frown came out in full strength, but Fanatic ignored him as he continued to excitedly babble at Lavender.

Lavender sent him a look, clearly telling him to stay away as she listened and nodded at Fanatic.

Finally, she shook his hand and headed towards a car Fanatic motioned to.

“Prospect!” Chatter shouted, and Fanatic changed direction and approached him. Lavender stopped and tapped her foot.

“Chatter?”

“What was that about?”

“I was telling Lavender about the cars and the work they needed doing. Some need a tune-up, others require—”

“Okay. Lavender agreed to it?”

“Yeah. There’s also some old Harleys, a couple of Indians, and some Nortons. They were at the far back. Lavender said I can work on all of them,” Fanatic declared ecstatically.

“Where she off to?”

Fanatic looked uncomfortable. “Lavender asked me to drive her home. Says she doesn’t want to give anyone the wrong impression by getting on the back of your bike.”

Chatter ground his teeth but was unable to answer. If that’s how Lavender felt, fine!

“Take her home,” he ordered.

Lavender

I was still stewing over Chatter’s inconsiderate words. So damn rude. Well, I might have been interested. However, I didn’t do short-term fucks, which is what he was seeking. My first ended because he got his feet under the table and expected me to wait on him hand and foot. We rarely left his apartment. My second relationship broke apart because he cheated on me. And after a few casual dates, I decided dating was a cess pool, and I was better off alone.

Chatter had got to me, though. I understood why he was closed off; he’d loved and lost and had been hurt. But the sheer arrogance of thinking he was so special that he could offer a woman a short-term relationship, and she’d be cool with it, was astounding. Chatter clearly had an engorged ego, and I didn’t need that around me.

Then I sighed. Some women likely held similar opinions to Chatter. But I wasn’t one of them. And it was a shame because he was hot. But whatever. I peered into the bathroom mirror. We were using a downstairs bathroom between us until everyone moved into their bedrooms upstairs.

It was a pain in the ass, but the guys didn’t leave the toilet seat up, at least.

I stared at myself in the mirror and pushed my hair aside. Was I starting to look old? I was twenty-seven, I hoped not. I peered closer and frowned as a fog seemed to appear in the mirror. A moment later, a full-fledged terrified scream left my lips, and I stumbled backwards and smacked open the door.

Running footsteps came at me as I looked in the mirror and screamed again.

“Lavender!” Jinx yelled, being the first to reach me.

I couldn’t talk but just pointed. His jaw dropped, and he dragged me back as the others arrived.

“What happened?” Kelly demanded, being the next to arrive.

“There was a face in the mirror!” Jinx exclaimed.

“What?” Dan asked, arriving with Emory, Heidi, and Harriet on his heels.

“A fuckin’ face stared out of the mirror!” Jinx repeated.

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