Page 19 of Chaos & Carnage
“What?” Sawyer immediately argues. “Why? No. We’re not leaving.”
Cain huffs, pinning Sawyer in his gaze and waiting until she’s open to listening to him before he darts his eyes up to me and Lor. “They can’t be here,” he says, his voice even quieter than before. “And I can’t leave. I need to talk to my men and get the injured seen to. I need to make provisions,”—he clears emotion from his throat—“we have men we need to bury.”
Sawyer’s lips purse, but I can see she understands his dilemma, even if she does waiver on agreeing.
Just to drive the nail home, Cain tacks on, “And Luc needs to see you. He’s been worried sick and today won’t have helped any.”
That sways Sawyer’s decision, and she reluctantly sighs. “Fine. We’ll go.” Her eyes soften and she reaches out to take Cain’s hand. “I’m sorry about your men.”
Sensing that they need a moment alone, Lor and I step away. Oliver glances at us from where he’s talking to one of the men, before he squeezes his shoulder and comes over to join us.
He swallows uncomfortably, visibly looking like he’s chewing on flies as his eyes dart around the roof, focusing on everything but us before he blurts out, “Thank you for the backup today. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for either of you, but we appreciate it.”
“Even though your men look like they’re one word away from shooting us, too,” Lor states bluntly.
Oliver’s lips purse as he turns to take in the expressions of the few remaining guys left on the roof. Most have climbed back down to the ground to join their comrades. “Can’t blame them for being distrusting. They’ve spent the last however many years hating you. It’s ingrained in their DNA to shoot you on sight, so seeing you on the wrong side of the battle lines today is jarring. They don’t know what to think right now. Your father’s men are literally bleeding into the gutter on our front doorstep, and yet the two of you stood up here and fought alongside us. They don’t understand why, and Cain’s going to have to field a lot of questions once you leave.”
Neither Lor nor I have a response to that, silence falling between us until Sawyer comes over. After she says goodbye to Oliver, we descend from the roof, walk through the clubhouse, and out a back entrance leading onto a side street where Cain planted a couple of getaway cars. All the while, Cain’s men look at us with wary, confused, suspicious guises. It all serves as a reminder that Lor and I aren’t welcome here. Nor are we welcome in my father’s penthouse. We’re not welcome anywhere, and for the first time in my life, that truly bothers me.
Chapter 7
I can hardly put one foot in front of the other by the time we make it back to Cain’s house. Any adrenaline I had has long since burned away, leaving me feeling as horrid as I did when I first woke up in Blue’s lair.
Still, my weariness is shoved to the back of my mind as I climb out of the car and Luc comes racing down the front porch toward me.
“Fucking hell, Sawyer.” He crashes into me, throwing his arms around my neck. I wince and fall back a step, but manage to catch myself, hugging him back just as tightly. The two of us have been through hell these last few weeks, and sometimes it’s the simple things like being able to hug your brother—the things we all take for granted—that are the most important in life.
“Good to see you missed me,” I try to joke, but Luc just scowls at me as he pulls back.
“You scared the fucking shit out of me.”
“Jesus Christ, watch your language,” I chastise with a mock-serious look.
Luc rolls his eyes at my poor attempt at parenting, but he can’t hide the slight smile on his lips or the sheen of tears in his eyes.
“Are you okay? Where have you been?”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “I got into a little fender-bender and had a run-in with an Antonelli, butI’m fine.”
His lips purse as he studies my face. I’m pretty sure the dark bags under my eyes give away the lie on my lips, but he thankfully doesn’t call me on it. Instead, he asks, “What happened at the clubhouse?”
His gaze flicks over my shoulder, a frown forming and worry swimming in his eyes. “Where are Oliver and Cain?”
“They’re okay. They had a lot to sort out, but I’m sure they’ll be by as soon as they can.”
Luc swallows, his face softening so he looks every bit his fifteen years. “Did anyone… Is anyone dead?”
I reach out, cupping his cheek while I stare into his worried eyes. “A few,” I say truthfully, my tone carrying the weight of today. “I’m not sure who.”
Luc simply nods, and I watch as he mentally gathers himself. “How is everything here?” I ask instead, happy to change the subject.
Luc immediately huffs out a frustrated breath. “Bones keeps hogging the remote, and Tank keeps finishing off the juice and putting the empty carton back in the fridge.”
I have to bite back my laugh. “And what about Evie?”
He just shrugs. “I don’t think she’s comfortable around all of us. She mostly stays in her room or hangs out with Marcus.”
“Well, a bunch of boisterous teenagers is a lot to handle. She probably just needs some time and doesn’t want to sit and play video games or watch gory movies. Have you tried asking if she wants to do something she might enjoy?”