Putting it in drive, I keep the lights off as I turn around. Away from the cops, hidden by the bend and the thick onslaught of rain. The thunder drowning out Darius’s raucous truck. The storm is still ramping up all around us, a match to the mood in the vehicle, and I drive extra carefully, maneuvering through it towards my home.
The O’Brien’s house.
***
It isn’t but ten minutes after we have made it inside the house that the front door is slammed open. I have found towels for Veronica and I and we are in the process of drying off when Axel marches his way up to me. He lifts me clean off the ground and forces me to wrap my legs around his waist.
“Never again!” he bites out. And then he is pressing his harsh lips to mine. Enveloping me in his leather scent, mixed with the fresh rain. He is soaking wet, but I ignore it as he fills me with his anger, his worry, his love.
Tugging apart from Axel, I stare into his eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice, but I tried to call you. All of you,” I insist.
Axel heaves a sigh, casting his attention to Veronica. “The police station took our phones and threw us in a locked room. Thank fuck you returned Luna’s call or I would have lost my damn mind if I were in there a moment longer. Fuck, you’re really okay.”
“Maxwell and my brother are dead,” Veronica states evenly, descending to the couch.
I wrestle out of Axel’s arms, but then Darius is there tugging me into his. He offers me a tight hug and a peck before Grayson takes hold of me next. He cradles me to him, apologizing relentlessly under his breath.
“It’s not your fault.” I squeeze him to me tight before releasing him too. My men and I will have our time to tumble into each other’s arms, for me to fall apart. But right now, Veronica needs me.
Spinning away from the brothers, I land onto the couch next to Veronica, this time I don’t break into a mess of sobs when I wrap her back in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“If William would have just taken us to you at the estate. If he would have just listened to me!” She is shaking.
“I should have let them know.” Darius is the one who speaks, and I whip my attention to him in confusion.
Angling my head, I watch as guilt settles around him; it is a weight that draws down on his face and body.
“William was supposed to take me to you, back at the Thornes, but then I knew something wasn’t right and I bolted. I should have told you sooner. I planned to but then everything happened so fast here and I wanted you to have just a few days of happiness before having to deal with it.” The words whoosh from Darius’s mouth, an unbroken chain of remorse.
“No, you did the right thing,” Veronica murmurs against my shirt, squeezing me tighter. I can feel how close she is to falling apart, it is in the way her fingers curl into my skin, as if I am the only thing keeping her here.
Mulling over Darius’s confession I decide I’m not angry or upset, I understand where he was coming from.
I attempt to portray that with my eyes as Veronica’s sobs intensify, as my shirt grows wet.
“My idiot fucking brother! He went through so much, for me. And then he had to go and die. And leave me behind,” Veronica exclaims.
Her words hit close to home.
Tripp and Auggie. I miss them more than I can even put into words. My guilt and grief will most likely always be unwelcome companions in my life. But I am also angry with them.
Angry they went off on their own and got themselves killed.
Angry and grateful.
Grateful that they kept me from befalling the same fate as so many others in this town.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask.
“She left town when we were young, she tried to take us with her, but our dad wouldn’t let her. Oh god, I need to call her. Tell her what happened.” Veronica is falling apart in my arms.
And I let her.
I feel the presence of Grayson as he walks behind the couch, standing guard behind us. Of Axel as he settles onto the arm of it, Darius as he takes up place at my feet.
I feed from what they provide.
