Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Serenity
My brother talks animatedly to my mother about his big plans. He’s convinced this shipment of guns is going to solve all of his problems.
Tiffany stumbles from my brother’s bedroom with her shoes clutched to her chest. Silas, or should I say Savage, doesn’t acknowledge her. He keeps right on rambling to my mother as she puffs on her Virginia Slims.
I notice Tiff’s cheek is bruised today. It’s a different shade than the bruise on her eye.
Savage disgusts me. He’s taken over every bit of the Silas I once knew.
“Would you like something to eat before you go?” I ask her before she reaches the door.
Both my brother and mother pause briefly but quickly go back to their conversation.
Tiffany’s eyes widen, and she turns to look at me over her shoulder. Her gaze then slides around the room before landing back on me. “That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to be any trouble.”
“It’s no trouble.” I move to the stove. “Here, I’ll pack you something for the road.” I’m sure she’s not interested in sitting at a table with my brother, or at least she shouldn’t be.
Her hand remains on the door handle while I quickly roll up a breakfast sandwich in a sheet of tinfoil. When I walk over and hand it to her, tears fill her eyes. “Why are you so nice to me?” she asks quietly.
“Because I don’t want to be the alternative.” I pointedly look at what’s left of my childhood family.
She stares at the sandwich in her hand. “Thank you.”
I place my hand on her arm. “You’re welcome.”
As soon as she leaves, I go back to the sink, watching the wind blow the trees as I clean the dishes. I’ve finally caught up. I think every dish they owned was dirty when I arrived. My brother might have a nicer place, but it won’t last long with the way they take care of it.
Something catches my eye just beyond the yard, and my heart stops.
It’s Carver. He’s hiding behind a tree, watching Tiffany pull out of the driveway.
He’s going to ruin everything. What the fuck is he doing here?!
My mind races to think of an excuse to go outside. I quickly hurry into the laundry room and pull the wet sheets out of the washing machine, dumping them into a laundry basket.
“I think I’ll hang these up outside. If that’s okay?” I ask Silas, waiting patiently by his side for permission like a child.
He pats me on the back. “It sure has been nice having you home. Hasn’t it, Momma?”
She looks at me and rolls her eyes. “It would be if she didn’t run that sewing machine of your grandmother’s all damn night. I didn’t get a wink of sleep.”
“I’m sorry. I was just working on a quilt Grandma never finished. I thought it would look pretty on your bed.”
“I didn’t hear a fucking thing,” my brother says. He stands, leaving his plate on the table for me to pick up. “I’m going to hit the shower and get ready for our shipment tonight.” He rubs his hands together excitedly.
“So, it’s okay to hang these out on the line?”
“Whatever tickles your pickle,” he tells me before leaving the room.
“I’m going back to bed,” my mother informs me, also neglecting to clean up after herself.
It’s funny how quickly they’ve reverted back to trusting me. I’ve only been here a week, but I have busted my ass trying to prove I’m on their side.
I take a deep breath, knowing what faces me outside might be worse than what’s inside.
My heart races as I hang the first few sheets. Once I’m sure no one has followed me, I begin to speak, facing away from the house in case my brother is watching from a window.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask, but my focus remains on my task.
Of course he doesn’t respond.
“Carver, I know you’re here, but you need to go back. You’re supposed to be at Frontier Days with everyone else.”
When he still doesn’t answer, I begin to panic. “Please go back. I’m begging you. Something is about to go down, and you need to be in Cheyenne so you don’t get blamed for it.”
This gets his attention. “And let me guess, I’ll just have to trust you on that.”
“Yes!” I say, struggling to keep my movements calmer than I feel.
“What’s going down?”
I push the sheet aside so he can see my face. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but please go. You need to be seen with the others. For Mila,” I plead.
We stare each other down. He wants to ask me more, but a bike just pulled into the driveway. There’s no time to explain, and honestly, it’s better if I don’t.
“Go!” I beg, hoping he hears the desperation in my voice.
He dips behind the tree as the fake Savage gets off his bike and walks toward me. “Need some help?” he asks.
“No,” I say shortly, turning my back to him.
“Oh, come on now. You’re not still mad at me for lying to you, are you?”
“You told me your name was Savage, and worse than that, you told me my brother was dead. Do you really think we’re going to be friends?”
“Maybe not friends, but I am going to be your babysitter for the evening. I would advise you change your tone.”
I beg my heart to slow down. “You’re not going with my brother?”
He shakes his head. “Someone needs to stay behind in case things go south, and that has to be the VP.”
Why did I think I’d have a chance to get away tonight? Of course my brother was never going to leave me here alone. I could run with Carver … but that might make the Scorpions suspicious and ruin Carson’s well-laid plans. No. I need to stay the course.
For Mila, I remind myself.
“So, what is your real name?” I ask, doing my best to play nice.
He lightly chuckles, tipping his head. “Real name is Joe, but you can call me Psycho.”
“My brother must really love me to leave me alone with someone name Psycho,” I say dryly.
His hand snaps out and wraps around my throat. “I said watch your tone.” He pushes his nose against mine, making me regret not listening to him the first time.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper across his face.
His fingernails dig into my skin as he increases the pressure. “I’m not the one you ought to be worried about.”
This man loves seeing me afraid. How do I know?
It’s pressed against my thigh.
“You see, I’ve got a brother too, and you will be his reward for a job well done.”
I don’t know who the fuck he’s talking about but mine steps out the door. “Get the fuck off my sister!” he yells, and not in the way you would think. I’m nothing more than a joke to him. It’s the same thing he used to say to his friends in high school.
Psycho, previously Savage, gives me one last squeeze, only letting go when I begin to dance on my toes frantic for air.
He pats me on the back as I cough. “I’m just fucking with her!” he hollers back to my brother. “Toughening her up a little.”
“Lord knows she could use some of that,” my brother replies, plopping down into the lawn chair by the front door.
I’m reminded more and more each day how far away he’s strayed.
Psycho runs his hand down the back of my hair, giving it a gentle tug before walking away.
“Wait,” I say.
He turns around, surprised I’ve stopped him but prepared for more of my sass. In fact, I think he’s hoping for it.
“There are a few breakfast sandwiches on the stove. Help yourself.”
His tongue rolls against the inside of his cheek as he tries to figure out my game.
No matter how hard my family tries to drag me into their darkness, I’ll never let it happen. I can always remain kind. No one can take that away from me.
“The ones on the left are bacon. Sausage to the right. If you’re hungry enough, you should have one of each. They’re both really good.” I shield my eyes to watch a hawk fly over.
When I turn my attention to him, he grins. “I get it now,” he says, shaking his head.
“Get what?”
“Why Rage trusted you.”
He goes into the house and comes out moments later with the sandwiches. I don’t turn around until he falls into the chair beside my brother and takes a bite. Seconds later he holds it up, letting me know he’s enjoying it.
I give him a little nod because fighting him will do no good. I have to do whatever it takes to protect myself. I’ll be spending the entire evening alone with this man. Well, not exactly alone. My mother will be here, but I’ve never been able to depend on her.
I scan the trees as I pull the last sheet from the basket. Tears stream down my cheeks, and I pray Carver listened to me. I need him to be by Mila’s side. I know he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
He showed me that at the Trough.
I know I can trust him.