Page 6 of Shades of Loyalty
“So? You want to wait for the cops to find him first? You think they’ll believe we didn’t kill him? Stop complaining and do as you’re told.”
At the word ‘kill,’ she looks up, her voice a shaky whisper. Her eyes give off uncertainty, most likely because she’s worried about talking to me.
I’m not surprised. I sounded pretty harsh. And fuck, I feel bad for her. I wish she wouldn’t be here. I wish she wouldn’t hear all of this.
“But you said you didn’t—”
“We didn’t,” I cut her off, sharper than I intended.
“But they don’t care. They’ve tried to pin shit on us before, and it almost worked. I’m not letting that happen again. Not after we lost a man.”
Her eyes widen, and for once, she goes quiet. Good. Shereallydoesn’t need to know more. Because we don’t want her to, and because it’d only put her in danger.
Hayden exhales heavily, relenting. “Fine, let’s do this. But you owe me.”
Together, we lift Roy’s body, his weight heavier than I expected. Blood drips onto the pavement, but I force myself not to look down. Not to think about it.It’s not your fault. It’s theirs.
She watches us the whole time, her wide, tear-streaked eyes locked onme. There’s something about her gaze—so soft, so desperate—that makes my chest tighten.
Normally, I wouldn’t care. Comforting people isn’t in my nature. But this woman? She’s different. Too sweet to leave here in a crumpled heap of guilt and tears.
As Hayden continues to carry Roy to the car parked a few streets away, her quiet sobs pull me back to reality.
My gaze wanders back at her, seeing her down on the floor again. I sigh as I kneel beside her, my hand hesitating before resting gently on her back.
“I’veneverfailed before,” she chokes out between sobs. The words hit me harder than I expected. What exactly does she mean by that? “It’s not your fault,” I mutter awkwardly, trying to sound reassuring, though I know I’m terrible at this. Fuck, I can’t even believe myself.
“I could’ve saved him,” she whispers. She’s not entirely wrong. A shot just below the ribs—it’s possibly survivable.
If we’d had medical supplies, if we’d gotten help faster... maybe. But that “maybe” doesn’t change the fact that Roy is dead.
“You did everything you could,” I tell her, though the words feel hollow. Vacant.
Her scarf is still soaked in his blood, her hands trembling as she looks down at it.
This woman—a stranger—tried harder to save Roy than some of our own men ever would have.
And that’s when ittrulyhits me. I can’t let her go. Fuck. I shouldn’t let my guard down like this anymore in the future. Both Hayden and I should be more aware of our surroundings, so we don’t get caught anymore.
It never happened before, but fuck, once is more than enough.
She’s seen too much. The body, the blood, us. If she talks, we’re done for. My whole family would be.
I can’t let that happen. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
“Listen,” I say softly. Her tear-streaked face tilts up toward me, and those wide eyes lock onto mine like deep pools of cold ocean water—endless and stormy.
God. Her sky-blue eyes pierce right through me, pulling my mind into their depths until everything else fades away… What the hell?
“I need you to come with us,” I say. Her eyes widen, the ocean in them churning.
“But…Why?”
“Don’t worry, pretty.” The nickname slips out before I can stop it. You dumb fuck, focus on the situation.
“It won’t be for long. Just... we need your help with him, see?” It’s a lie. A fucking dumb lie.
Her brow furrows, confusion mingling with fear. It doesn’t surprise me. My words are fucking stupid.
