Page 77 of Shattered Souls

“Don’t bother,” I push away from him, or try to, but his arms are wrapped around my waist with an iron grip. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Rayvn,”

“No! I get it, she was blackmailing you, but did you have to kiss her?” He winces.

“I needed her distracted.” I understand. I can’t deny that he was playing her just as much as she was trying to play us. But it doesn’t sting any less that she kissed my man—or that he let her.

“Let’s just get ready, please. We can handle all of this later.” He reluctantly releases me, but stays glued to his spot on the floor.

I turn and head for Hayze’s room, needing his strength right now. He’s texting on his phone, face twisted with annoyance. He sees me enter and quickly shields my heart from another letdown by giving me a smile.

“Everything okay?” I ask, too tired to sign.

“Yeah, don’t worry, little scarecrow.” I walk over and sink into the mattress beside him. Who knew admitting your feelings to two men and then having one betray you could be so exhausting?

“Please don’t lie to me.” I place my head in his lap, eyes still looking up at him. His scent encases my body like a warm hug, and I cherish it.

“The pilot won’t be ready until closer to morning.”

“That’s okay, right? Just gives us more time to get everything ready.” I sit up in the bed, excitement sprouting in my chest. “I need to go back to my apartment.” One of his brows raises. “Seriously, I have close to ten thousand dollars just sitting in a safe. We can ask Fred to rush Alfie, bribe him.”

“I need to ask Synn. I’m not sure either of us are willing to leave you right now.” I swallow. He’s not wrong, I wouldn’t want to leave either of them if I heard the shit Bethany said. But with that money we could expedite this whole process.

Hayze ended up going to my apartment. Fred said with a five thousand added rush fee he could get us in the air in as little as three hours. Right before Hayze left, he kissed me. His lips were trembling against mine, and I swear if that man could talk he’d beg me to be safe.

But now I’m stuck in the house with Synn, and I’m suddenly regretting sending Hayze instead of the currently sulking man.

I had asked him what he’s going to do with Beth, seeing as he hasn’t moved her body. He admitted she’d have to be left there, with there not being enough time to properly chop her up and dispose of each limb.

“Quit pouting so loud!” I finally snap. He’s placing all of our bags by the front door, getting ready to load the SUV once Hayze is back. But in doing so, he’s grunting and mumbling under his breath.

I’m gathering the things I want to bring, making sure that they fit in the already packed bags. But, you can only handle so many groans before you snap.

“What do you want me to do? You won’t let me make up for it. I was just trying to get you out of danger!” I spin on him, pressing a finger into his chest.

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me. We’re all stressed, Synn. You don’t get to take that out on me just because I’m an easy target.” His shoulders fall. He grabs my hand and brings the back to his lips.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” That right there, the way his eyes soften when he looks at me, makes me want to forgive him and melt into his touch.

I have to push away from him to avoid doing just that. “I need to go take a breather outside.” I turn towards the couch, grab one of the thickest blankets, and pad over to the door.

“Rayvn,” He steps between the door and me. “You’re not going out there alone.”

“I am.” I step away from him. I tug at the heart shaped lock securing the collar on my throat. “You can always track me, if you’re so worried.” His lips pull into a tight line, but ultimately, he steps away from the door and lets me walk out.

I tuck the blanket tightly around my body as I climb the stairs to the dressing rooms. Sadness grips my chest like a vise as I look at the cavernous space I’ve spent the last two months in. Learning to hate and love these men while everyone sat around us, oblivious.

I pass the food trucks. Letting myself replay every memory of the park. The cage of death, the way my insides churned with fear and arousal at the death defying maneuvers the men performed with surgical precision. The food trucks where I realized Hayze was mute and I could communicate through finger spelling.

I trail my hand along the weathered frames of the haunted houses. How can I miss something that caused me so much pain? Maybe not physical, but emotional.

I’m going to miss the thrill of running and trying to make my way to the exit. Now, the gaping mouth of the scare park taunts me. I could do it, walk out and never look back. But I have no reason to anymore.

I’m wanted now. Anywhere I go, someone will recognize me. I’ll be taken to jail in under twenty-four hours, and proudly paraded around for the death of my father. A man that deserved every ounce of suffering that he got.

I hear footsteps. Rolling my eyes, I don’t even bother turning around to address Synn. “You’re not very good at giving space.”

“And you should’ve stayed hidden, Mae.” I spin. There’s a group of men standing at the maw of the park, each holding a weapon lax at their sides. I take a tentative step backwards, swallowing my fear.