Page 64 of The Biker and the Loner
I killed Katherine de Glücksbeigch-Oliveros.
Chapter 14
Scratch
"How is she?"I ask Kendra eagerly when she walks up to the raised path where Onyx and I are parked on our motorcycles.
"No change." She tugs on the collar of her prudish black dress, visibly uncomfortable. "She's still shutting me out. Isaac’s the only person who’s been able to get a word out of her."
I haven't touched, seen, or spoken to my woman in almost three weeks. After Kathy's death, her emotions went on lockdown. She shut me out, wouldn’t let me touch or comfort her. The morning after, she’d slept until noon. I had lunch ready and waiting for her when she woke up, but she told me she wasn’t feeling well and wanted chicken soup instead. Desperate to do anything to help her, I went out to get her chicken soup. But when I got back, she was gone. I didn’t see it coming, though I probably should’ve. All my calls were rejected, all my messages ignored.
So, I brought in the big guns—Kendra, who came running from whatever part of the world she’d been once she heard what happened.
Only then did I find out where she’s been hiding. At that little turd’s place, Zacpack or whatever the fuck his name is.
She’d ran from me and straight into another man's arms. From our home into another man's home.
Am I pissed clean the hell off and want to smash that tool's skull in? Damn straight I am. But Grunt—my perpetual voice of reason and maturity—talked me down from my rage, from kicking that little shit’s door down and killing him with my bare hands.
“Ley's grieving,”Grunt had said to talk me down.“You gotta let her grieve how she chooses. Hurting her friend and choice of comfort right now is gonna ruin any and all chances of you ever getting her back. Just wait it out.”
I'd fought him on every argument he made, but I knew he was right. In the end, I listened, as hard as it was to do.
Now three weeks later, this is the closest I've been to her. At the cemetery. Two hundred yards away. Separated by hundreds of headstones.
It should be me by her side right now, hugging her while she sobs into my chest as Kathy’s casket is lowered into the ground. But she denied me that. Hell, I'm not even supposed to be here. She’d told Kendra to tell me not to come to the funeral. Though Kendra was confused by the request, I wasn’t.
I hated that bitch for what she did to Leyana and I'm not in the least bit sorry she's dead. If she hadn't offed herself, I probably would've been the one to do it. So of course, I don't give a shit about her funeral. Leyana knows this.
That said, Idocare about my girl and the hurt she’s going through. But my girl doesn’t seem to care about me, does she?
Kendra's her best friend and she won't even talk to her. She's shut us all out and that shit hurts.
"This is bullshit," I spit, plucking my joint from behind my ear and lighting it up.
Kendra sighs and leans back against the tree we're parked behind. "She's gone right back into her loner shell and we'll be lucky if she ever comes back out."
"Wanna beat that shit stain to a pulp," I growl, smoke spilling from me with each word. "Wanna beat him up so bad."
"Hey!" Kendra snarls back. "That's my brother-in-law, and by extension, yours too. He's only trying to be there for her. None of this is his fault. Would you rather he pushed her away and not comfort her?"
"I'mthe one who should be comforting her.I'mher man!"
"But shedidn'tchoose you for this," she shoots back, squaring off with me. "She didn't choose me either and I'm her best friend. But you don't see me whining and pouting like a menstruating pussy."
I blow smoke in her face. "You're a real bitch, you know that?"
"Tell me something I don't know."
Scanning her up and down, I take in her funeral attire, inclusive of a hideous tiny hat with some bead and mesh shit, a broach on her Puritan dress, and heels she can barely stand straight in. I’m guessing this is her attempt to fit in with the posh, ritzy, elitist crowd of Kathy's family and friends. But Kendra's a ragged badass, the look doesn't work on her.
I tell her, "You look ridiculous, by the way."
"Kiss my ass," she snaps. "I did this for Ley. Because I love her. So you can suck my dick from behind, you asshole."
"Alright, break it up, you two," Onyx gripes from where he's straddling his bike next to mine. "You're always dumping on each other. Think I like it better when you’re oceans apart."
"Shut up," Kendra and I both growl at him.
