Page 30 of Twisted Truths
My knees threaten to give way as grief overwhelms me. He was only twelve. Sobs wrack my body, and I slam my fist against the wall as I think of all the things he missed out on in his short life. It’s not fair. None of this is fair.
I shouldn’t have to bury my family.
No one should have to bury their family.
By the time I pull myself together and exit the shower, my eyes are red-rimmed, and I avoid my reflection in the mirror as I brush my teeth. I don’t bother shaving this morning. What’s the point? All I want to do is go back to bed and hope that when I wake up, this is all just a horrible fucking nightmare.
But this is my reality.
So, when I leave the bathroom, I force myself to call George and make a time to see him this afternoon so we can discuss the arrangements. He was good friends with Mum and Paul, so I hope he has some idea about what they would’ve wanted because it’s certainly not a topic of conversation that ever came up before I left for the States.
Levi has already left for work by the time I leave my bedroom, and Paige is in the kitchen feeding Sawyer. “Are you going to the game this afternoon?” she asks as I pour myself a coffee.
The Red Backs have a game in Rafters Falls, but I’m not in the headspace to go. Not with the funerals hanging over my head.
I shake my head. “Not today.”
“It might be a good distraction,” she presses. “I know the boys loved having you watch them last week.”
Avoiding her heavy gaze, I clear my throat. “The coroner is releasing the bodies. I have an appointment with George later to go over the funeral arrangements. Basketball’s the least of my priorities today.”
Paige gasps, rushing around the kitchen counter to wrap me in a hug. My body tenses before I release a resigned breath and return her embrace.
“Do you want me to call Levi to go with you?” she asks. “He can get Grant to take the team. Or I can cancel my playdate with Mia and Jade, and I could come. I’m sure Mia wouldn’t mind watching Sawyer for an hour or two.”
“Thanks, Paige.” I give her a gentle squeeze. “But I’ll be fine. The boys need Levi, and Sawyer needs her mum.”
She looks up at me with tears shining in her eyes. “You shouldn’t have to do this on your own, Nash.”
I give her a sad smile. “I’m going to have to get used to it.”
“No,” she says, sniffing as she shakes her head. “You don’t. You have us. We’re your family. You’re not alone.”
“I appreciate that, more than you know, but I need to do this myself. Please don’t tell Levi until after the game. Pretend I didn’t tell you. He doesn’t need the distraction.”
“Nash—”
“Please, Paige. For me?”
She frowns, and I feel terrible asking her to keep secrets from her husband, but I know how difficult this is going to be, and I don’t want any witnesses.
“Okay,” she finally agrees, and my shoulders relax.
I lean forward and brush my lips over her forehead. “Thank you. I’m going for a run to clear my head.”
Subconsciously, I knew where I was going before I stepped outside my half-brother’s back door, so it’s no surprise when Ifind myself running the old trail down by the creek. I’m on the opposite side of the compound, but my pace slows as I reach the edge of the bush land that surrounds the cult.
My heart races, but it has nothing to do with the exercise. This is dangerous—no one knows I’m out here.
While I’m still technically on council land, I don’t want to be seen by Solomon or any of his cult members.
As I slow to a walk, keeping my eyes peeled on the thick bushland across the river, I recall the last time I ran this trail when I was sixteen.
Coincidentally, it was my first and last interaction with Gabriel Solomon … until a couple of days ago. Back then, I lost my best friend. Now, my sister. I’m determined to do whatever it takes to take down Gabriel and his little cult once and for all.
Chapter Eleven
HADLEY
