by B C Morgan
“It’s okay Harrison, you can come in,” I say as I stand up and start bouncing on my feet.
Elijah and Amias are soon on their feet and I’m in front of them before I can even think it through.
“What is he doing here?” Elijah asks, as he trembles with his rage. His knuckles are turning white from how hard he’s clenching them.
“I was invited,” he replies, as his face sets into a scowl but it softens slightly as he looks at me.
“I asked him to come so sit your arses down or get out,” I say as I put my hands on my hips and narrow my eyes at the two guys causing trouble right now.
“He shouldn’t be here after what he did to you, how can you be okay with this?” Amias asks, his tone is menacing and promises pain to whoever crosses him.
“She already knew,” Harrison says with a smirk that turns to a shark-like smile as all three of my guys look on in shock.
Amias turns his hateful stare on me, his nostrils are flaring as he comes to step closer but instead, moves away. “You fucking hypocrite, you ended it with me for keeping apparent secrets. How are you any better, you sanctimonious…”
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence,” Harrison says as he steps closer to Amias and looks down on him.
“You really want to stop me shaky, I put you in a coma once, I can do it again. I guarantee I won’t feel bad about it this time.”
“Enough!” I scream, running in between them and putting a hand on each of their chests.
Amias scoffs as he steps back but Harrison stands his ground, and I can’t help but notice how hard he feels beneath my hand.
“I think you should let go now Leighbear,” Noah says, and he sounds worried, guess I should listen to him.
“Go sit down H, I have something I need to say and I’d rather it didn’t end up in a fight,” I say softly, begging him with my eyes not to argue.
“Fine, but I could still kick his arse,” he replies gruffly which earns him another scoff and the two-finger salute.
“You guys don’t need to be angry with him, and he didn’t release this crap he tried to stop it. When I found out it shocked me, but I couldn’t be angry with him, not when his reasons for doing it were selfless. If I can move on from it, why can’t you?” I’m not shouting, even though this is an uncomfortable situation, I need to stay calm.
“He’s lying to you, clearly he released it early to throw you off. Don’t you find it funny that it’s announced on the day you planned to tell us, who else but us knew that? Also, while we’re on it, if he didn’t do it then why did he change his mind? Maybe he’s hoping to be your next love interest,” Amias is angry I get that, but his words hurt.
I sit down on the sofa and Declan pats me on the shoulder while Roxie sends death glares at the loose cannon in the room.
“I changed my mind because I realised I was wrong about her, she did a lot for me back in October and she sought out my sister and tried to make things right. Why would she do that if she was the selfish bitch, I thought she was? Besides, if I was going to release it, why wouldn’t I release the stuff I had on you?” His face looks relaxed, but his right eye is twitching and his tone, sounds almost smug.
“You shut your mouth,” Amias shouts as he picks up my bedside lamp and chucks it at his head.
Harrison ducks just in time and it smashes into the wall, shards flying everywhere. I’m just sitting here with my mouth hanging open and my eyes can’t possibly get any wider.
“What are your secrets Amias? You got pretty angry with Henleigh when you found out that she already knew who I was, so clearly you’re hiding something.”
Harrison is enjoying this too much, and it’s raising questions with regard to his character, not that it’s surprising.
“You are so full of shit, leave him alone. This doesn’t concern you,” Elijah says and my heart breaks just a little more.
My shoulders are slouching under the weight of his unknown confession, tears are filling my eyes and my heart is cracking deeper and harder than before.
“Am I the only one who doesn’t know or at least, that you knew of?” I ask and my voice is cold, monotone. I can’t put any emotion into it. It hurts too much, and I need to be numb right now.
“It’s not like that little cub, it isn’t as bad as it sounds,” he says, his voice softening and his eyes so devoid of darkness it’s like looking into a stranger’s, but then again isn’t that exactly what he is?
“Don’t call me that,” anger seeps in before I lock it back up and turn my eyes onto him, I don’t know what he’s seeing but he flinches when his lock onto mine.
“Not that bad hey, kissing me, making me fall for you and all because you were ordered to. Oh yeah, how could it possibly get any better?” I hate the tears in my voice, but I won’t hide my emotions this time, I’ll wear them like they’re my armour and this time he won’t pierce it.
Declan lays his hands on my shoulders and squeezes gently; it’s getting harder and harder to keep my feelings locked away. I think it’ll only take one more blow to destroy my emotionless facade once and for all.
“You told her,” he screams at Harrison as he charges for him, I’m up and out of my chair but he’s going too fast. He collides with me and we fall to the floor hard, his shoulder ricocheting off my jaw.
“You imbecile,” comes from Roxie as she helps me up and positions herself in front of me, acting as a barrier I don’t really need.
“No, Devon told me. I’ve known ever since school broke up last summer. The funny thing is I’ve been fighting with myself whether I should end things with you. In the beginning,” I hesitate for a moment and close my eyes, the pain is building and threatening to bury me. “In the beginning I planned to make you fall for me wholeheartedly, so when I did end things it would hurt you. I wanted you to know that what you’ve done is wrong, but it backfired. I fell in love with you and it became harder and harder to hold on to my anger, but you wouldn’t be honest. I gave you so many chances, no matter what I did or said you just kept on lying.”
I’m choking up and tears clog in my throat, Roxie is holding onto me and I don’t care if I seem weak it’s how he’s making me feel.
“Henleigh,” he tries to speak but my head is shooting up and my look is screaming at him to even try to talk his way out of this.
“You didn’t tell me when you had the chance and yet you claim that you love me, that isn’t love. Look at Harrison,” I shoot him an apologetic smile and he nods his head as though he expected it. “A guy who hated me, who had no reason to admit to anything and yet he still owned up to it. He had no idea that I already knew it was him, he did it because it was the right thing to do. A guy who has pretty much been my enemy was more honest and decent than the guy who I fucking love,” okay my voice is getting louder and I really want to punch him.
“I’m not the only one who’s lied and kept secrets,” he says, and I’ve had enough of this shit.
“I already knew about Harrison, move the fuck on and as for me nothing I kept from you affected us or what we felt,” I can’t do this, it’s too much and I sigh as Noah wraps his arms around me.
“I was talking about your other boyfriend,” he spits out, glaring at everything in the room.
“Elijah didn’t lie, he just didn’t tell me about your orders. It hurts, but it wasn’t his secret to tell.”
“I’m talking about your Noah bear, you think he’s so perfect and he can do no wrong. I guess he’s made a fool out of you after all.”
I freeze and look up at Noah, I don’t want to believe him but the agony on his face is no lie.
“You are a selfish bastard, fuck you Amias our friendship is done,” so much anger is fuelling him but it all changes as he looks at me and tears fill his eyes. “I was going to tell you, I swear, but I chickened out. I wanted to hold off until I knew for sure.”
“Knew what?” I ask, but he won’t even look at me now, I pull away and square up to him.
; “Until you knew what Noah?” I’m confused but I feel as though I should already know the answer to this question. An alarm bell is going off in my head and this is the loneliest I have ever felt, even after my brother died and my parents became nothing but pictures on the wall. Being friendless was my choice, and I welcomed the solitude. This time however, it hurts, more than I ever thought possible.
“I’ve already had the tests done, I get the results next week.” He can’t even look at me, he looks as though he’s a house of cards, one blow away from caving in. Welcome to the club.
I know I need to find out why he changed his mind, but Amias can’t honestly believe this was the right way to go.
“You are such a fuckwit, do you honestly believe what Noah has done could ever compare to yours. You used me, watched me. You fucking pursued me as a job, what Noah has done hurts but you sicken me. And throwing your best friend under the bus like that doesn’t make you look good, it makes you look pathetic,” I’m directing all my anger towards him and as far as I’m concerned he deserves it, I just don’t know if Noah does?
Turning to look at Noah, the anger washes away only to be reloaded with a crippling pain. Everything is falling apart.
“You said you wanted to wait until the school year was over, I don’t understand,” I say, as I go back to the sofa and sink down into it.
“I was, and then you told me you loved me, and I didn’t want to wait any longer. I was going to tell you but I knew I would let you go if it came back positive and I didn’t want you to have to suffer and wait along with me,” his voice and eyes are pleading with me to understand, but I have none left to give.
“You wouldn’t have told me unless it came back clear would you? You would have broken up with me and never told me the real reason why,” the fact he’s looking away and tells me I’m right and it’s the last nail on the coffin of my harem.
“Did anyone else know?” I ask and Elijah is holding his hand up and I want to be alone.
“Get out, all three of you. You’ve all hurt me, and it was all for your own gain, Elijah I don’t know how to feel about you but you two. I don’t even want to look at you right now,” I turn my back to them and bury my face between a cushion and my shoulder.
My hair is acting as a veil to hide my tears and anguish and although they try to argue, they do leave. Everyone goes that night, taking my heart with them, except from Roxie she refuses to leave me alone.
“Do you think you’ll ever forgive them?” Roxie asks as she strokes my hair.
“I don’t know, what if this is how our relationship is destined to go? Them lying and keeping things from me, I can’t risk it,” I reply, my voice once again filled with a sadness that I can no longer contain.
My phone beeps and what little colour I have left, soon drains from my face.
I’m coming for you Henleigh, it’s time to reunite you with your brother. This time, the bullet won’t miss.
Beneath the words is a countdown to my death, and I’ve never felt more alone in my life.
Epilogue
Dear Elliott,
After that day I couldn’t look at them anymore. My heart is beyond repair and only Roxie can reach me. I passed all my tests with top marks, like I knew I would. The guys tried to talk to me and convince me to forgive them, but it didn’t work.
I love all three of them, but sometimes love just isn’t enough. Noah is the only one I haven’t completely cut contact with, but I only send him the odd message to let him know that I’m okay.
I stayed with Roxie for a while until my ISA cleared and left me with a generous amount of spending money. Dad says it’s for college or University and to allow me to live comfortably while he’s over in America, I get this weird sinking feeling that he’s not going to come back. Maybe it’s for the best, it’s not like I’m even staying in the home he rented and gave me a key to. Not that I can really but that is irrelevant right now. At least he has given me the means to get around with the driving lessons, and I even have a little car to run around in now.
I know if you were here now you would tell me to stop what I’m doing, but it’s already too late. Devon has been released from prison and he’s gunning for the people responsible for your death. He just won’t be quick enough.
I’ve been running for a month now, I don’t know how I ended up with Harrison as my personal bodyguard, but he refuses to leave me. I know his sister isn’t speaking to him since he told her about the way he tried to punish me. Maybe that’s why he’s hanging around, I can’t handle the possibility that he may want more from me than I can give. Those three have ruined me for men. Maybe I was right all along. It is better to be alone.
But again, it doesn’t matter, Dante is on my trail and he’s set on returning me to you. I know it won’t be pleasant and he’ll make my ending last long enough to ensure my suffering, but I’m done. Devon was right, I never should have dug into your past and now he’s beyond keeping me safe.
Yes, I left the guys because they hurt me, but I’ve remained gone because I won’t let them die for me. Dante has set the timer on my life and pretty soon, it’s going to hit zero and I’ll be stone cold dead by the time anyone finds me.
So, save me a spot beside you, because it looks like you won’t be alone for much longer.
Love you forever,
Your pipsqueak.
“Are you ready to get moving, if we stay too long he may find us,” Harrison says, glancing through the slotted blinds to see if we are still safe.
“I’m ready to go,” I reply as I put my hair up in a tight plait, grab my bag and get ready to run once more.
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Henleigh’s story continues in You’ll Never Have Me which is on PRE-ORDER NOW.
Glossary
I’ve been very British in this book and I thought I would add this glossary for those who may not be familiar with some of the words or sayings we use over here.
In the UK what the US call College, we call University. This is where we go to get our bachelor’s degree and higher. College is where we take vocational courses and other courses that can prepare us for University if we don’t stay on at school to get our A-levels.
Sparko – so tired their fast asleep and very little will wake them up.
Sket – someone who sleeps around.
Jumper – sweater.
Full English fry up – a cooked breakfast that usually has bacon, sausages, eggs, beans, mushrooms, hash browns and toast or fried bread and sometimes tomatoes too.
Plaster – band aid (bandage)
Mardy – sulky, grumpy, just in a foul mood.
Tenterhooks – worried, nervous about something that is happening or is going to happen.
Boxing Day – the day after Christmas.
Tart – sleeps around/prostitute.
OAP – old age pensioner.
Trollied – Really drunk.
Numpty – Silly people, may be the fact they say or do something utterly ridiculous that you really want to roll your eyes at. Can also be a stupid person.
Thank you
Thank you to all the readers for giving this a shot and hopefully if you’ve enjoyed it you will be happy to give me a review so others may get the chance to read it too. I personally read every review I get and I’m amazed by the kind words you all send my way, thank you.
Acknowledgments
To my amazing Alphas Savannah and Claire, Robin and Nigama, Kaara and Scarlett and my amazing Beta’s Laura, Brook, Rachel and Sam for making this book the best version of itself. Charlotte Black for her amazing editing skills and another shout out to Savannah who is not only my PA and Alpha but also formatted this and helped to make it just right for everyone to read and to all my readers. The reviews you have left all hold a very special place in my heart, I love you all and I’m so glad I get to share this experience with you all.
About the Author
I’m B C Morgan, I’ve lived in England for the entire duration of my lif
e. I have two beautiful children, who mean the entire world to me. I also have an amazing partner who has supported me every step of the way. I’m very lucky to have the family and friends I have, they have given me so much support and I appreciate them all. I also wouldn’t be here without the wonderful Diabetic Team I have in my corner, they help to keep my healthy.
I mainly write supernatural style books, but I do like to branch out into the Dystopian Genre and I am also contemplating publishing a few detective books I wrote when I was younger eventually. But really, I will try my hand at any style that suits whatever idea is swimming around within my head, even contemporary.
I love Coffee, no matter if it’s a drink or ice cream, I’ll be the first one there to buy it. I love all music, but my favourites include Foo Fighters, Cage the Elephant, Queen and Carrie Underwood.
I read all types of books, but my favourites include crime books from the likes of J.D Robb and Jack Higgins, to fantasy type books from Rachael Caine and my new favourite contemporary author Bo Reid. That’s not to mention the amazing Contemporary authors Scarlett Ross and Crystal North who drag you into their worlds and make it impossible to leave until you’ve devoured each and every word.
Last but not least I am Bee, and if you’d like to get to know me better, here’s where you can find me.
My Facebook group Bee’s Daemons
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Book 3 (2020)