Page 42 of Bayou Knights
I swallow the pills as Capone lays me down on the couch.
* * *
Zion
“Hey,” Lyra sits next to me, Trick guarding her from the wall. He hasn’t left her side.
“Hey.”
“Have you seen her yet?” she asks.
“No.” I want to, but what would I say? I couldn’t protect her. I’m a horrible match for her.
“You should,” Lyra says, patting my arm. I don’t understand that whole conversation.
But maybe I should. I get the courage and knock on the door. Diablo answers and I can’t help but feel some kind of jealousy. I know Plum isn’t mine.
“Finally,” Capone growls as he steps out. Gage and Dixon are sitting on one side of the bed, Diablo on the other. Zoe walks in with a tray and places it on the table, and I just watch all this like an outsider.
“Zion?” I hear her soft voice and I look at her, see her bruises, turn, and walk out.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I need to punch someone. I go to put my fist through the wall when someone walks in, dragging a body behind him and I freeze. The body is Ricardo. The man I’m assuming is Sawyer.
“Brought you a present and to take my punishment,” he says, throwing the man on the floor. I hold up my hand as others start to crowd.
“Where’s the mother?”
“I don’t know. I can give you some guesses. I know I have no right, but please tell Plum I’m sorry.” He looks sorry, but that’s not okay, at all.
“Take them to the house,” I wave my hand and bodies are moving in an instant. I now have something to punch.
I don’t know what propels me, but I throw open her door and yell at everyone to get out. They jump, Plum jumps. I’m an asshole, but I need my time.
Diablo and Capone glare at me as they pass. I don’t know what their problem is. Oh, maybe it’s me.
“Zion?” she says softly, and I groan as I collapse in a chair at her side.
“I’m an ass. I shouldn’t have yelled. I’ve been going crazy trying to get you back.”
“I’m here now,” she says.
“I know and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to hurt you. I hate that all this happened. I can’t help but get angry when I look at you.”
“I’m going to be okay,” she says.
“I know. But will I be okay?” I hate admitting I’m struggling.
“You will. Even if we don’t explore what happened, you’ll be okay. I hope that we can spend some time together. I am still trying to get my footing, no pun intended, but someday I’ll be normal again.”
“You’re perfect,” I lightly graze her cheek and even with mottled bruises, she looks beautiful. She blushes but doesn’t say anything.
“Sawyer is here. He showed up with Ricardo, an unconscious Ricardo.”
“Don’t kill him. I know he has a lot to make up for, but drugs really do mess with a person’s head, just look at Lyra. I can’t believe she’s still alive,” she whispers.
“What does your dad say?”
“You should ask him. He has a lot to make up for since he lied to me, but I’m giving him a pass because of what my mother did.”
