Page 80 of Bedlam

“Babygirl, when we found you floating in that lake, after everything that happened, you cannot blame us for thinking that. On top of the fact that I ran into the freezing lake, not knowing how to swim. You may not remember, but I hate pools of water. It terrifies me from childhood trauma, so seeing the girl I love floating, fucked me all the way up.” Spade confesses and I gasp as he crouches down next to me, cupping my face.

“Don’t cry, Babygirl. You’re alive. You’re breathing and perfect. Come on, let's blow this shit hole up and move forward.” He says, lifting me to my feet. I look around the room at the others.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that you all found me like that and thought the worst. I can’t imagine how scared you all were. I’mso fucking sorry.” I cry, holding my head in my hands as they all surround me, hugging me with their warmth.

“Shh, Kitten. You’re safe, now.” Dario says.

“You bleed, Siren. You bleed red, and that’s all I can ever ask for.” Jameson whispers.

“Thank you guys, thank you for not giving up on me.” I whisper and they grunt, groan and moan as they all place kisses on different parts of my body, rubbing my little bump.

“Alright, enough of the heavy. Let's go light this bitch up.” Spade whoops and I can’t help but laugh.

They’re right, I'm safe, I'm home. I’m exactly where I need to be, and that’s with them.

fifty-four

Diamonds

Dario

After leaving The Academy, Jade watched from the back window of the Ram as we all pressed our triggers seconds after one another. She giggled at the feeling of the ground shaking beneath us. I cup her face and kiss her all the way back to the house, despite the growling coming from the front seat. I refuse to waste time figuring out things instead of just showing her how much I love her and how much she means to me. Actions will always speak louder than words.

Sitting in the passenger seat hours later, Jameson is seething next to me.

“You know I can smell her all over your face?” He spits as I laugh.

“What the fuck do you want from me? She’s my girl as much as she is yours. So when I saw an opportunity to take what Iwanted, I did.” I say smugly, which only causes him to slam his fists against the steering wheel.

“I feel like I’m getting nowhere with her. We’re either fighting or not speaking. It’s like the beginning all over again.” He says, shaking his head.

“How have the voices been since you left the institution?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Quiet, because she’s around me. They love her, especially when she tries my patience.” He smirks.

“I would take that as a win. This will all take time, but earlier was a tremendous breakthrough for her. She could literally walk us through the vision. That alone was huge, and damn near crushed my heart, but also gave me relief.” I say and he nods.

“Yeah, getting the truth healed my heart a bit, knowing she wasn't trying to leave us.” He sighs as we pull into the parking lot of a rundown bar.

“But there’s something I’ve been hiding that we haven't gotten the chance to discuss, and we need to.” He informs me and my eyes snap to his.

“This entire car ride you jam out to fucking pop music and totally disregard that you are holding on to information. Are you fucking insane?” I yell and he laughs.

“We figured that out a long time ago, Dario. Don’t play stupid,” he says and I slam my fists on the dash.

“Aye, don’t hurt my baby. She’s touchy,” he says like the psycho he is.

“Well, fucking spill, you prick.” I shout, and he shakes his head.

“We can run through it on the way back, but I wish Reid was here to listen to it because it affects all of us.” He says as I curse under my breath.

“He’s probably balls deep in her by now. Fuck!” I grit.

“Let’s go meet with Rico and get our shit.” He says, climbing out of the truck. I reach in the back and grab the duffel full of cash and climb out of the truck, following behind him as he opens the tailgate.

Placing the bag inside the bed, I seethe about what he could possibly have to tell us and how we are always last to find out everything. Bright lights blind us as a car pulls into the spot next to us. Rico gets out with two metal cases and brings them over to the tailgate.

“Rico, how are you?” I say, shaking his hand.