36. Kaycia
Chapter 36
Kaycia
I listen as Shane tries to explain the intricacies of pack dynamics while growing increasingly worried about him as he paces the floor.
“Lana said our dad took my little brother on a road trip to get him out of town. If he’s still figuring out the shift, that’s best. But it just leaves her and my mother at the house. I don’t know whether the Rosses will come looking for me here or try to lure me back there. Either way, it looks like the only way this is going to end is if I challenge Colton and win, or he kills me. I don’t think I can run from this anymore.”
“Let me get this straight. If you fight this guy and win, you what? Take his place as their leader? And he just lets you do it?”
“I doubt it would be that simple, but on paper, yes. A pack alpha can be challenged by anyone, and if the challenger wins, they become the new alpha. But this is a blood feud. He’s coming for me over his brother’s death. I think I’d have to kill him. And he will try to kill me.”
“But since you were exiled, you could be executed anyway just for going back?”
“Technically, yes.”
I let out a deep exhale, steepling my fingertips over my nose and closing my eyes. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to kill anyone else. I have enough blood on my hands.” He looks up at me, his eyes sorrowful. “I don’t want to leave you or the life I’ve spent all this time building.”
“Nothing says you have to.”
“Me killing Logan ten years ago says I might. Plus, Lana is more like a bloodhound than a wolf. I guarantee she’s going to track my number to Argent and find my shop. She’s not going to just give up on this because I hung up on her. I’m honestly surprised Colton’s trackers haven’t already trashed the shop by now. Although, they might be steering clear of Raquel to stay under the radar while they try to force me to respond to the damage at our apartments.”
“What do we do in the meantime?”
“ You need to focus on preparing whatever you need to for your exhibition. Get your head in that space, not this bullshit. We can target practice tomorrow and you can stay with Jamila and Raquel the night before the opening. I need to figure out my next move.”
Reluctantly, I listen to him, accepting his kiss on my forehead before I take my canvas and paint to overlook the pond out back, leaving him to pace on the deck. The peaceful setting does nothing to ease my mind. All I manage to get on the canvas is a splash of carmine against the soft white fabric.
The color of blood pervades even my art.
* * *
T he next day Shane surprises me with not only a shotgun, but a hunting rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, and a revolver. He shows me the proper way to handle each one, raising fond memories of shooting with my grandpa until I discover that the shotgun and rifle kick a lot harder than the BB gun I used to use.
Massaging my sore shoulder, I take the first handgun from Shane. “Okay, what do I do now?”
“Take off the safety and pull the slide back,” he advises. He shows me the motion, but I struggle to mimic it.
“Should it be this hard?”
“It can be. But give it a shot.”
I shoot the target until the clip is empty, not doing a terrible job, but not winning any awards either.
“Not bad.” Shane is encouraging, but I’m disappointed.
“Not good either.”
“Try this one, maybe it will be a little easier?” He hands me the last pistol, a revolver. It’s lighter and smaller than the other handgun, and the results are pleasing.
“Oh, that was much better!” I’m tired, but happy with the small circle of holes in the target.
“If you were aiming for the shoulder, it was great. If you were aiming to kill someone it might be lacking,” Shane jokes, but wraps an arm around me and offers a squeeze. “I’ll pack up here if you want to head on in.”
I leave my safety glasses and ear protection with him before heading to the cabin. I don’t want to kill anyone , I think, glancing back at the target before I’m too far to see the little holes in the torso outline printed on the paper.
When Shane reaches the deck, I’m sprawled on the porch sofa with a glass of water and my phone so I can call Kelly. “I’ll make this call and be in in a minute.”
He nods and retreats into the house to give me my privacy. Glancing down at my phone I cringe at the missed calls from my mom and texts from Meg. It’s been a few days since I’ve spoken to either of them.
Opening my phone I read over the messages.
Meg
Hey girl! Any new stories about Hot Neighbor? How’s everything going? Are you ready for your show?
Meg
Remind me of the gallery you’re having it at again, please? I’m so bummed I can’t make it.
That one is followed quickly by a photo of her toddler holding a sign that reads: We Are Proud of you Aunt Kaycia , written in Meg’s bubbly handwriting in different colored crayons along with colorful drawings of stick people and flowers.
Meg
We are trying to be artists like you! Love you, girl.
A text from my mom follows, it’s been longer than usual since I last touched base. I feel a little guilty, but not guilty enough to call her to explain that I’m in hiding in the woods.
I shoot quick messages back to both of them, apologizing for the delay, answering their questions, and asking how they are before calling the gallery.
“Red Lark Gallery,” Kelly says briskly when she answers.
“Hey, Kelly. It’s Kaycia.”
“Kaycia! How are you? All set for your big debut? They’ve started hanging things like you advised.”
“Thanks so much. I’m so bummed I couldn’t be there today to check it out and bring the final pieces like I’d planned. Unfortunately, someone broke into my place this weekend and trashed it.”
“Kaycia! That’s terrible! Are you okay?”
“I’m physically okay, it’s just a mess. Several pieces were damaged beyond repair and I have to stay somewhere else for a bit until they get it all repaired at my building. I’m not sure I’ll have anything else to add except one piece that wasn’t damaged.” I give a little lopsided smile in the direction of the cabin when I think of the painting of Shane’s profile.
“What assholes! But don’t worry, I can have the installers move things a little to adjust for it,” Kelly offers. “I’m so sorry that happened.”
“Thank you. I think that will work great. I’m out in the country regrouping, but I’ll be back in town before the exhibition to check in and make sure everything is squared away.”
“Perfect. See you then. We’re looking forward to it, I have several buyers already interested from our mailing list! Take care and we’ll talk soon.”
My heart soars as the call ends. The excitement over people interested in my work is almost enough to make me forget about the last few days, but not quite. I had Max bring the sunset painting with my canvases, so I can add the final few touches. Nothing else would even be remotely ready in such a short time.
In the time it takes for the sun to dip below the trees, I decide that anything I create out here will be the start of something new. I’ll focus on the single piece to round out the collection and then worry about the others once we are clear of this mess. Speaking with Kelly and having a firm plan helps me feel more confident than I have in days, leaving me in higher spirits by the time I join Shane back inside the cabin.