Page 79 of Power
That gives me pause, and I see the flash of Finn smothering Trish, the blood, her prone form. I gulp. Standing by and letting that happen is a world away from doing it myself. I didn’t even push her. She fell while trying to stab my eye out.
My hands shake, but I shove the thoughts to the side.
“I know I’ve hurt you, Bailey, but it was for your own good in the end.”
“How? How was leaving Mum and me in povertygood for me?”
“I was trying to keep you safe. Fat lot of good that did. So I get your anger, and I accept it. But I was trying to do the right thing.”
I grimace. “Protect me from whom? Archer, Owen, and Finn or the Society at large?” I drop my voice to a whisper, knowing the rules.
I see Dad look over my shoulder briefly. I don’t need to know that Archer is standing there. Owen has moved to the side, watching this cautiously, ready to step in if needed. But he knows I have to do this alone. I have issues—big ones. Exacerbated by the fact that my father is standing here in front of me in a cashmere coat that looks so soft and gorgeous it can only be expensive. A gold watch peeking out of the cuff and a demeanor that doesn’t suggest he has been living rough and has dragged his way through the last few years broke and on the edge.
It makes me angry and sad, even though I’m too exhausted for either emotion right now.
“From a person who wants you desperately, but you aren’t his,” he eventually replies cryptically.
“Oh, fuck off,” I growl and turn from him, not even interested now.
Archer is by my side in an instant, Owen as well. Finn is keeping his distance. I don’t want him to. I want him closer.
“Ches, we will discuss this later. We need to get Bailey home,” Archer states.
“Fine. Who died?" He points to the ladies’ room.
“None of your business,” Owen says.
“Actually,” Archer interrupts. “It was your little cock-sucking friend, so take notice, Ches, of what happens to assholes who mess with Bailey.”
I blink, my mouth dropping open in horror. “Oh, my God! Cock-sucking? Ewwwwww.”
I hurry from the entrance of the club towards the secret door, revolted.
“Sorry,” Archer says, not holding onto the snicker very well.
“That wasnotan image I wanted in my head, goddammit! Archer! Oh, my ears!” I cover them and shake my head. “My brain!”
“Sorry, baby girl. My bad. He needed to know.”
“Ugh!”
I march down the corridor with the three men following me until I reach the rabbit hole part of the Rabbit Hole. I duck, muffling my cry of pain as the wounds on my stomach protest vehemently about being squashed.
Shuffling along as quickly as I can, I’m relieved when I see the wooden door in my sights. I shove it open, gulping back lungfuls of fresh air.
Well, dumpster fresh air. Still, it could be worse. I could still be in the club hearing how my dad was banging Trish. That would make her hate me even more, probably. Thank fuck she didn’t make it to becoming my step-mum.
Oh, the thought makes me want to vomit.
Gasping for breath, the three men, still close behind me, I stumble out of the alley, glad to see Archer’s Mercedes waiting.
“This Court business will have to go ahead without me,” I say as Owen opens the door for me. “I just can’t go back in there.”
“We’ve postponed it,” Archer murmurs. “We stand tomorrow.”
“Okay, good.” I breathe out a sigh of relief and turn to get into the car.
Just as I’m about to slip into the backseat, I feel a hand on the small of my back. I look up and see Finn.
