Page 44 of Bedlam
I’ve been in this bed for a week and I’ve about had it. Spade left to finalize the title transfer on the house so it will officially be in his name. As much as all the new information coming to light is exciting, I’m not getting any closer to the truth of what happened to Jade.
Everything is becoming more and more difficult to find. Almost as if the deeper I dig, the closer I get, but the man on the other side wipes it away, creating a new narrative that wasn’t there to begin with. It’s literally making me lose my mind.
Between Marsela’s murder, her family coming after me thinking I’m the one who did it, and everything else, I just can’t take it any fucking more.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I wince at the pain that laces my ribs. Holding my breath, I stand, grabbing the skullhead of the cane I had the Doc order. I grit my teeth, wanting to scream from the pain.
They really did a number on me.Damn it. I know they won’t stop until I’m dead.I knew that the moment I got the call, she was murdered. I tried to run, which isn’t in my nature,but for once, I wanted to be saved. I didn't want to leave Spade alone but he seems happy hanging with Ryder. He doesn’t necessarily need me.
None of them do. We still haven’t heard anything on Jameson, but hoping we get something today since Ryker has to go up there for a test. We asked if he could find out what was going on. So yet again, we fucking wait.
Slowly walking to the elevator, I hit the button and the doors swing open. Stepping in, I press the button for the top floor. Spade refuses to go into her room; he's so afraid but I am not. I need to smell her. Need to feel her, but most of all there’s something in there that I need.
Reaching my destination, I step out of the elevator and slowly walk, leaning on the cane to help relieve the pain. Standing in front of her bedroom door, I lean my forehead against the wood as I turn the knob, slowly opening it.
Immediately I’m smacked in the face with her scent and I take a deep breath, wincing again because fuck my fucking life, these ribs are killing me today.
The shiny metal sitting on her dresser shines through the light creeping in through her dusty curtains. Stepping closer, I pick up her pistol, feeling the weight of it in my hand before checking to see if it’s loaded.
I sigh, knowing no one is here and I’m all alone with my thoughts. There’s nothing I can do anymore. This life is shit without her. No matter what we do, someone always gets hurt, so why not just make everyone’s life easier?
Lifting my arm, I place the barrel of the gun to my temple. Taking a deep breath, I put my finger on the trigger and close my eyes.
I love you, Jade. See you soon, Kitten.
Bang.
thirty-one
The Council
Jade
Walking down the long corridor to the council room, I hold my mother’s diary with all the answers Flynn wouldn’t tell me. He felt I should read her words rather than hear his. Either way, it doesn’t make this shit any easier.
Tonight will be the night I open this and read the words written by the woman I loved and cherish most. But being that my whole life was a lie, I’m not sure I can still hold her on the same pedestal she’s been on for all these years. A throat clears, taking me out of my thoughts.
“You ready for this, Gra?” Kane asks, eye fucking me as usual.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I respond as I approach the doors. He grabs my arm gently, pulling me back to him.
“Don’t speak unless you are spoken to. Those men in there are ruthless, they shoot first and ask questions later. Being thatyou’re a woman, the first ever to grace their table, they will not treat you any differently than they treat each other,” he warns.
“I eat men like them for breakfast. I think you forget where the fuck I came from, or maybe you didn’t do enough research on who I am. Let this be another lesson for the books.” I smirk as the corner of his lip raises a bit. He schools his features, handing me a mask that is all black with a long bird beak. I raise a brow and he takes a deep breath.
“No one enters this room without it. Every man sitting at the table is unidentifiable except for their voices. Your father is the only one who knows who is who, and until you take his place, you will be oblivious, like the rest of us. So, to protect you from them, please put the mask on and do not take it off until you’re safely in your room.”
Placing the mask over my head, he opens the double doors, letting me enter first. My first thought is, I didn’t think it would be this easy to see and breathe underneath this thing, but it’s actually comfortable.
Glancing around, I see five other men wearing similar face coverings sitting around an oval table. Flynn is standing in front of the fireplace, and I know it’s himbecause I know his body language, and his mannerisms.
The room is gorgeous, with stained window panes of angels and different gods. Everything is very original to the space, just well taken care of. A throat clears as I approach and all eyes are on me, as I subtly straighten my stance, letting them know I’m not afraid, nor am I intimidated by their presence. One of the many things Big John taught me that has shaped me into the ruthless woman I am today.
Rounding the table, I sit to Flynn’s right and Kane sits on the opposite side of me. I lean back in the chair, placing my mother's diary in my lap as I fold my hands over it.
Taking a deep breath, I wait for this shit show to start. Flynn finally decides to sit and drone on about issues with different syndicates and shipments going in and out of the ports. The men speak for what feels like hours until, finally, it's over. All the men rise and file out one by one, but as I rise, Flynn places his hand on my wrist and I sit back in the chair.
“There’s been a rat in the ranks. He will be publicly executed tonight and then I’m sending you home with a job to do,” he says and I raise a brow that he obviously can’t see, but it’s an automatic reaction these days.