Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
Norah, Rebel, and Brandon are playing a game at the coffee table. We just had lunch and now we’re entertaining ourselves with this. Goosebumps have me abandoning the game. I want nothing more than to go outside, out of the apartment, to see the sky.
“I’m going outside for a bit, is that okay?” I search for Rebel’s eyes and she nods to me. Norah also hums something that sounds like approval.
I quickly turn and flee out the front door onto the walkway.
As sunlight touches my face, a wave of warmth washes over me, instantly lifting my spirits and easing my anxiety.
A few steps down, I sit heavily on one of the steps.
I lift my face and close my eyes, enjoying the sun and the fresh air.
I’ve been locked up for three days. Just three days.
God knows how long Norah’s been there, how long Bel’s been there… and I can barely stand being inside.
I grab my phone and send Kyler a message to let him know I’m going to see my parents. Then I rise from the stairs and saunter to the cemetery, breathing in the warm, dry air.
At the grave, I keep myself busy cleaning the stones and tidying up the grass. It keeps my mind and my hands occupied.
I kind of lose track of time as I think about all kinds of things. Eventually, I walk back to the clubhouse with a purpose.
“Who are you looking for?” Colt asks, standing at the bar, hands shoved in his jeans pockets.
“Brooks and Kyler,” I mumble and hop to my other leg.
“They’re inside. Go on.” The left corner of his mouth curls up slightly in what’s probably meant to be a grin.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Women aren’t allowed…” I pause, my thoughts turning to Brooks’s words; not everything’s the way it used to be. I glance questioningly at Colt. “Can I… really?” I point to myself and then at the door.
“Sure.” He winks at me and walks over to his motorcycle.
I step forward cautiously. An uncomfortable feeling settles in my stomach. Reaching the doorway, I glance inside.
It looks pretty cozy in there.
I take another small step forward, so that I’m just inside the door.
Chesterfield couches sit along the walls, each with a small black coffee table.
There are also two square tables surrounded by wooden chairs.
It’s basically just a bar, but cozy in a manly way.
In the back, the double solid wood doors with carved designs are open.
Brooks and Kyler are sitting on one of the couches, leaning over a table. I stand rooted to the spot, because I don’t want to disturb them. Also, I’m too afraid to go any farther; this place feels off-limits to me.
Fortunately, it doesn’t take long before Kyler looks up. “Layne?”
I immediately retreat, standing outside once again. “Colt said I could come in, but…”
“Come on in, it’s no problem.”
When I step back inside, I almost bump into him. “Um, I want to discuss something with you guys.” My voice trembles, and I hope he doesn’t hear it.
Kyler tilts his head and nods. “Brooks, Layne’s here.”
“Hey, Laylay.” He sounds tired, and when he rubs his face, he looks it too.
“Can we sit down?” I look at them both.
Both men nod, and Kyler walks back to Brooks. There are two chairs across from the couch, and I take one of them.
“Okay, I’ve got an idea.” Great opening line, Layne.
Kyler raises his eyebrows. “An idea? Regarding…?”
“Well, I thought it might be helpful to have someone come over to Brooks’ place to help with Brandon?
” I cautiously glance at Brooks. “You’re busy with your work for the club and all.
I kind of assumed Jen was taking care of him the most. Maybe I’m overstepping, and you should tell me if I am, but if what I’m saying is true, then I might have a solution. ”
Brooks closes his eyes briefly, and I instantly feel a rush of heat.
“Okay, I’ve clearly crossed the line.” I hold up my hands defensively and slide my chair back to get up.
“Sit down, Layne,” Brooks says softly. “You’re right, but that doesn’t mean I want to talk about it.”
The sigh that escapes him is so deep, it feels as if it originates in his toes. “Nevertheless, you’re right, and I need someone who can help me. If someone finds out that Jen died and I have made no arrangements…” His voice trails off.
I hadn’t even thought of that, but yes… that could mean he’d have to fight to keep his son. “So what’d you have in mind?” When he fixes that ice-blue gaze on me, I hesitate to share my idea.
I open my mouth hesitantly. “Well…” I start. “It might sound a little strange…”
Kyler frowns. “Layne?”
“Norah doesn’t really have anywhere else to go,” I start, my voice low.
“She and Brandon… they get along surprisingly well. The two of them and Rebel are playing some game at the apartment right now. She has no idea I’m even bringing this up—I haven’t talked to her about it yet—but I was thinking…
” I inhale deeply and just say it. “If Norah lived with you, Brandon would always have someone around to look after him. She could help keep the place running—tidy up, maybe cook once in a while. And in return, she’d have a roof over her head, food, and somewhere safe.
Somewhere steady. You’d get a bit of extra help, and she’d get a chance to breathe.
” I press my lips together, eyes fixed on the table, heart pounding.
“Hmm,” Brooks says. That’s all I hear.
“It might be an option,” Kyler says.
“Probably the best option, since otherwise I’ll have to find someone I don’t know,” Brooks says.
I slowly look up from beneath my eyelashes, but I don’t dare say anything yet.
Brooks breaks the silence. “I think we should give it a try, Layne. Shall we agree that you’ll bring her to my house tomorrow? We should also see if we can get her some clothes.”
“What about the other girl?” Kyler asks.
“Isobel?”
“Yeah?” Kyler shrugs questioningly.
Brooks seems lost in thought, staring at something behind me.
“She lives in Granite Bay and went home this afternoon. She insisted, said she had some things to take care of. Colt drove her home.
“Okay, we’ll make sure Norah moves in with Brooks tomorrow. Are you taking Brandon home now? I can make sure I take him to school with Rebel tomorrow so you can get some rest—” Kyler glances briefly at Brooks.
“Fine. Great. See ya later.” Brooks stands abruptly.
I watch him go, feeling anxious. Just before he walks out the door, he turns back and says, “Thanks for babysitting, Laylay.”
Before I can answer, he’s gone.
“What does he have planned for tomorrow that requires him to relax?” I turn my attention to Kyler.
“I’ll tell you later when we’re in bed. Let’s go to Rebel and grab something to eat with her and Norah.”
“Ky?” He turns to me and puts his hands on my waist. “Are you sure it’s safe for her to go to school? I don’t want to…" I can’t finish my sentence. Instead, I just shake my head.
“Absolutely. I’ll fill you in on what happened today when we’re alone.”
Nodding, I follow him to his apartment. I have to trust him. The last time I didn’t…
Well, we all know what happened.
After putting on my pajama bottoms and a top, I crawl under the covers next to him.
Kyler turns on his side and puts his chin in his hand. “We got a letter today.”
I look up at him, my brow furrowed, but the moment his fingers brush my skin, a shiver runs down my spine, and I freeze. My gaze remains fixed on his face, though.
It’s just Kyler, Layne. Nothing to worry about.
“The letter came from Vanderberg. A hired driver will bring Jen’s body tomorrow. Norah was right when she said they kept her. He’s using her body and a promise to leave you and Rebel alone as a means of appeasement, a desperate attempt to buy his way out of trouble.”
His fingers explore my belly, and I suck in my breath.
“He’s leaving me and Rebel alone? Jen’s body? What?” Between the goose bumps, trying to suppress my anxiety attack, and listening to what Kyler says, I’m at a complete loss for words.
“His use of 'we' suggested that he was speaking on behalf of everyone in his organization. With Jen’s body recovered, her killer apprehended, and you and Rebel safe, he hopes this brings closure.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. I keep thinking about Karl’s bald head, and it takes my breath away.
“Layne?” Immediately, he lets go of me, straightens up, and bends over me. “Layne, look at me.” It’s the panic in his voice that causes me to open my eyes. “What’s going on?”
Just as he asks, his thumb strokes along the side of my chest. Even though the fabric of my shirt is between my skin and his, I immediately squeeze my eyes shut again.
As soon as that happens, he removes his hand. “Layne?” His tone has gone from panic to alarm. The bed moves under me and I suddenly can breathe again. I take a quick, deep breath.
“Hey,” he says softly. “You want to tell me…” Kyler’s voice breaks. “Layne?”
I breathe in deeply.
A sob escapes my throat. “You don’t want to hear it.”
“Honestly, I do want to know why you stiffen under my touch. Am I doing something wrong? Is it something else? What happened there? It all haunts my mind, and you aren’t saying shit. Jen got killed there, Layne… Don’t you think I’m terrified of what they did to you?”
The concern in his gaze unravels me, and I can’t stop the tears from falling.
“They locked us in cages,” I whisper and stare at the ceiling.
“I shared one with Norah. There was a bucket in the corner and we had a filthy mattress covered with unfamiliar stains. The place was disgusting. Everything rested on the cold, hard concrete. The air was stale because, naturally, we couldn’t shower. ”
“Shit, Layne…” are the only words that leave his mouth. His fingers stroke across my forehead and he sweeps a strand of hair back.
“The day Jen…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “It resembled a meat inspection. A check to determine our value for auction. At least, that’s what I gathered from their words.”
He runs his thumb over my cheekbone. With his hands on my face, my mind goes blank. “Go on?”
I shake my head.
“Please, Lay. I want to fully understand, to know what you went through.” The look in those gray eyes radiates so much compassion that I hesitate. If there’s anyone I trust, it’s Kyler, but I don’t want him to see me differently. “Please, Lay.”
I close my eyes and transport myself back to that room.
Unconsciously, I grab my left wrist. It almost feels like I can feel the rope rubbing against my skin again.
“Our wrists were bound, and we were suspended from meat hooks attached to the ceiling.” The sound is barely more than a whisper, but it’s impossible to get the words out at a normal volume.
When I open my eyes, Kyler’s Adam’s apple moves roughly as he swallows.
“That guy cut our shirts open and…” A lump forms in my throat. I breathe in with a wheezing sound and put my hand around my neck.
“You were naked, weren’t you?” Kyler’s voice sounds dark.
With my eyes tightly closed, I nod.
“Motherfuckers,” he says through clenched jaws. “I had my suspicions, but hearing you say it… Goddamn it.” Sighing, he leans forward and kisses my shoulder. “That’s not all, is it?”
I shake my head, because I don’t want to continue. My eyes slam shut, and fresh tears roll down my cheeks. “I can’t…” I choke out. “I can’t.”