by Bella Jewel
“You weren’t about to share it with me, Briella,” I tell her. “You were keepin’ the same secret.”
“Because I was instructed to do so by King. Were you instructed not to tell me?”
I go quiet, because fuck, I wasn’t. I wasn’t instructed. I could have told her. Could have, at any point, sat her down and told her. But the idea of losing her if she went looking and got killed meant more to me than letting her know. I see now that was the wrong choice, but I don’t know how to fucking take that back.
“I’m sorry, Briella. Whatever I did, I did because I love you and nothin’ more.”
She shakes her head. “This isn’t love, Alarick. It’s possession. It’s control. If you love me, you would have told me. You would have shared that with me. There is no possible explanation as to why you wouldn’t talk to me about something so huge in my life, especially when I lost my sister and my mother.”
“I didn’t want you to go through the fuckin’ pain of findin’ out you have another sister, only to find out she could be dead. Didn’t think you could handle that. I didn’t want to bring any more pain into your world, Briella.”
“That wasn’t your call to make,” she whispers, and the tears flow harder down her cheeks.
I step toward her, but she puts a hand up. “I need time, Alarick. My whole world is in such chaos, I can’t think straight. The one person I am supposed to rely on, has kept so much from me.”
“I can’t fuckin’ take that back ...”
“I know you can’t, but the damage, it’s done.”
“What does this mean for us?”
“It means, I don’t know ... I just don’t know.”
With that, she turns and disappears inside.
I feel like my heart is being ripped from my chest.
Fuck this.
Fuck everything.
Fuck King.
Fuck Dax.
Fuck the lies, and fuck the god damned truth.
Fuck it all.
11
BRIELLA
My heart feels like it’s slowly ripping apart.
Piece by piece.
Little by little.
It feels like every part of me is fading away until I can’t feel anything at all—I’m completely numb.
My life.
My world.
It’s all upturned and in utter chaos.
How am I supposed to get through this?
Alarick and I just had the biggest fight we’ve probably ever had. I don’t know what to do. My heart belongs to him, but to know all this time he has known about my sister and never told me, that’s soul crushing. It makes me feel like I will never get through, like no matter what I do, I’ll never be able to trust him again. A love without trust, is a pointless love.
He has kept so much from me.
So damned much.
Right now, I’m so angry and so hurt, that I can’t even look at him.
I can’t think straight.
Then there’s Karen, my friend, someone I trusted.
I know why she went to Alarick; I know she was worried about me, and I know she was confused and wouldn’t have meant to hurt me, but she did hurt me. Without her, without that friendship, I’m left with nothing. Who can I talk to if the one person I trust doesn’t keep my secrets?
I just can’t do this right now.
I need someone to talk to, someone to confide in, and I don’t have anyone. No mother. No sister. No family.
I feel sorry for myself right now, that much is true, but it’s hard not to when you’re in crisis mode and you don’t have a single soul that you can just sit down with and cry until your heart feels just a little better.
I need someone.
My phone rings, and I stare down to see Waverly’s number flashing across the screen. We’re becoming good friends, and I’m glad for it.
“Hey,” I say, answering the phone and swiping my eyes where the tears are still fresh.
“Hey, girl, are you okay? You sound like you’re crying?”
“Yeah, I’m just having a hard time right now. How are you?”
“I’m okay, I was wondering why you haven’t been at the club the last few days. Judging by the mood Alarick is in, I’m guessing you two are having issues?”
“Something like that, I don’t know when I’ll be back there. I have some things to sort out here and I just need some space.”
“You don’t sound like you’re doing so good; do you want me to come over?”
“I don’t think we’re really allowed to be seen together. You know, for obvious reasons ...”
She snorts. “I am stealth, honey. I’ll find a way. Do not doubt it.”
“Alarick isn’t going to be happy with that.”
“Alarick can fight me then.”
I chuckle. I do like her, there’s no doubt about that.
“You leave it with me, I’m going to find a way to you. I promise you that. Sit tight.”
I hang up after a few more laughs and swipe my tears. I reach down in the room I’m staying at back at Cohen’s, and pick up a picture of Magnolia and myself. My heart aches and my nostrils burn at the threat of even more tears. I miss her so much. I miss them both so much. I wish they were here right now so I had someone to talk to, someone to tell me we’re going to get through this.
I put the picture down and stand, walking out into the living area. The house is quiet, Cohen is at the club, and I made him promise not to let Alarick come here for a few days, that I needed space. He agreed, but told me he can’t get involved and isn’t going to keep Alarick out for long, that he’s got to respect his President also.
I get that.
But I only need a few days.
The reason being that I’m going to get out of here. I’m going to find somewhere to go and look into Cova myself.
I know it’s wrong.
I know it’s dangerous.
But I also know I can’t sleep until I know more about Cova.
I’m going to go through Mom’s things, the things we packed into boxes and never read through. I know she’s got to have something in there, some information, anything at all. Even a picture. I want to help King, I want to find where my sister was sent, I want to get her back.
I know there is one place I can find that information.
One place where it’ll be easy for me to access.
But I’ll be going into the devil’s pen.
I have a plan, though. A plan that could ultimately put me in harm’s way, but I think it’ll work.
I think I can convince Dax to tell me where Cova is.
I just have to have something to give him, that’s going to mean more than her life.
I only want one thing and, in exchange, I will give him something he’s wanting.
The club off his back.
I know it’s a risk, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Right now, the only thing that matters is getting the information he hangs onto so dearly.
I’m not making a smart choice, but I’m making a choice all the same.
I just hope it works out.
Because if it doesn’t, I’ll lose everything.
Everything.
“QUICK, BEFORE ANYONE sees me.”
I stare at Waverly, halfway through Cohen’s open back window. She’s flushed and red and looks like she’s been running.
I literally have no idea how she got here, how she got the window open, and why she’s stuck halfway through it. But I can’t help the laughter that bursts out of my mouth at the sight of her.
“What are you doing, you crazy woman?” I laugh.
“I told you I’d find a way to get here, and I did. But my god, those bikers can run fast.”
Oh, god.
“You’re going to give them a damned heart attack!”
She climbs in and then waves her hand. “Eh, it’ll do them good. Keep them on their toes.”
“Until you get back.”
She grins. “Y
eah, that. But, I had to see you and I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way. Not even a bunch of angry bikers.”
I’m grateful.
So grateful.
Even so I text Cohen and tell him she’s with me and not to barge in the front door and carry on. Just let her stay here and watch the house. He replies back and lets me know that Mykel is going to have her ass on a platter, but that’s for a later date. I laugh, show Waverly, and then the two of us flop back onto the couch with a bottle of vodka.
Exactly what I need.
“So, tell me,” Waverly says, pouring a drink. “What’s going on between you and the king?”
I snort. “You have such a way with words.”
“Well, he is the high ruler and all of that. Might as well call it as I see it. He is a grumpy bugger, though, isn’t he?”
I nod, sipping the vodka and squinting as it burns my throat. “You’re not wrong.”
“What did he do to upset you so much?”
I exhale. “It’s a long story.”
She leans over and refills my cup. “We’ve got all night.”
I tell her everything, excluding King being alive, and then wait as she processes it. For a moment, she just stares at me, eyes wide, and then she says, “Oh lordy, I’m starting to get it. He didn’t tell you that you had a sister?”
I shake my head. “No. He knew for years, at least. He didn’t tell me because he said he didn’t want me to get hurt, or risk my life trying to find her, but it wasn’t his place to decide if I knew about her or not. I wonder, if I didn’t find out, if he would have ever told me. Those kind of secrets destroy people, and I feel like I can’t trust him like I used to. What else is he keeping?”
Waverly nods. “Yeah, that’s a big one. I’m feeling you. I wouldn’t react well to that, either. You deserved to know you have a sister, even if it was a risk to tell you.”
“And it bodes the question: what if we took Dax down, and I never found out. Would he have gone on forever never telling me about her, leaving her out there? She might not be alive, of course, but what if she is? What if she’s out there and he was going to leave her forever in hell, just to keep me safe?”
Waverly takes another sip of vodka, and then exhales. “Yeah, look, this is a tricky one for sure. I can’t imagine that he’d never tell you, but then if he hadn’t told you thus far, maybe he wasn’t ever planning on doing that. He’s the only one that can answer that for you.”
“He may have been trying to keep me safe, waiting until Dax was gone to go searching, but the fact is, Dax is the only person who knows where she is. If he dies, and I don’t get those answers ...”
Waverly nods, fully understanding. “I know. You’ll never find her. Well, that’s what I’m here for. I am going to make sure you guys get hold of that slime ball, I promise you that.”
“Alarick is never going to let me near this situation, he’s going to keep me away from it. I just ... I need answers.”
Waverly purses her lips. “Well, you know, I am going to be finding out where he lives, hell, I’m probably going to be in his house ... Maybe I can help you, while helping them. I’ll work both ways. They will think they’ve got control, and in the meantime I’ll be looking for you, also.”
“I can’t ask you to risk your life like that.”
She snorts. “Honey, I’m already risking it by going in there. What’s a little more research. I might be able to help you out. Like you said, they plan on killing Dax and being done with him, but maybe we can get the information on your sister before that happens, and it’s a win win for everyone.”
“You’d do that for me? You don’t even know me.”
She smiles and, for a moment, I see full warmth shining through her eyes. She reaches over and takes my hand. “I don’t know you, but I do know that having nobody, that’s a sucky feeling. You’ve lost so much, the very least you can do is get your closure on this.”
I swallow and smile warmly at her. “Thank you, so much.”
“Oh, honey, it’s nothing. I’m happy to do it.”
I know this is wrong, on so many levels, but if I can get this information without ever having to speak to Dax, then maybe this will go down smoothly.
It’s a hell of a lot better than my plan, and right now, it’s the only option we have.
Alarick isn’t going to let me close to this, especially now I know about Cova.
The only way I’m getting what I need is through Waverly.
If the club ever finds out about this, we’re going to know about it.
But it’s worth the risk.
It just has to be.
12
FLICK
“You’re goin’ out with Bennett tonight,” I say to Waverly. “You gotta put on a show, more so than the one you put on the other day. You’ve got to make out like you have nothin’, no family, no friends, no nothin’. You can say you’re usin’ drugs, anything to make him think you’re weak and vulnerable. If he sees even a glimpse of you bein’ a strong woman, he’s goin’ to know and it’ll be over.”
Waverly nods, and then puts up a hand. “I’ve got this, Alarick. You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to screw this up.”
“I get that, but you gotta know I’m just coverin’ all bases here. I can’t have anythin’ goin’ wrong, because if it does ...”
“I know the consequences.”
Does she though?
Does she truly understand what’s going to go down if this doesn’t work out for us? God, I don’t think she fucking does.
“Zariah has watch on you, as always, and we’ll be close by. He won’t be takin’ you anywhere you’re not comfortable. Understood?”
She nods. “I’ve got it, loud and clear. Now, I’m going to go and find Briella and she’s going to get me ready. I’ll be back soon.”
“Waverly,” I say, before she reaches the door.
She looks back at me.
“Is she good?”
“Briella?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
“Not really, but I’m sure she will be.”
Then she disappears.
I watch her go and when I can no longer see her, I turn and stare down at my phone. A phone that Briella refuses to call, a call that she refuses to answer. I’ve been trying for days, and I know she’s angry and disappointed in me, but fuck, I can only make this better if she’s willing to let me, and right now she’s not.
“Got a minute, Pres?”
I glance up to see Mykel at the door. I nod and place the phone down, and he walks in.
“What’s goin’ on?”
“A few things, actually. We’ll start with Waverly. I think you’re makin’ a mistake with her. I know I’ve told you this, and I know you’ve heard me, but Bennett is goin’ to see right through her. I know it might take a while, but when she’s in the heat of it, with Dax, can’t help but feel like she’s goin’ to break her act at some point. Tension and highly strung situations have a way of doin’ that to us.”
“I get what you’re sayin’,” I tell him, because I do, I really fucking do. “But right now, it’s the only option we have. Even if we find him, even if we locate his house, we have no way near enough men to bring him down. He’ll have us destroyed before we even touch the outskirts of his property. The only way to do this, is to do it from the inside. Is it fuckin’ risky? Yeah, it is. But it’s what we have to do.”
“Could get a few other chapters in here? See if we can get numbers?”
“Mykel, respect what you’re doin’, brother, but you gotta trust me on this, yeah?”
He nods, looking somewhat defeated. Like he was hoping one last ditch effort would make this shit go away.
It won’t.
Nothing is going to make this go away in a hurry.
“What else you got?” I mutter, grabbing a cigarette, lighting it up and bringing it to my lips, inhaling deeply.
God I need this. I fucking need it.
My stress level
s are out of this world right now.
“It’s about Aviana.”
I stop inhaling, breathe the smoke that’s already in my body down deeper, and then puff it all out before asking, “What?”
“I know we got sight of her, and that it was said she was livin’ elsewhere and doin’ fine, but I’m inclined to believe that’s incorrect.”
“You want to share with me why that is?”
Mykel leans against the sofa, crossing his arms. “I’ve been lookin’ into her family’s involvement in this. Know what went down years ago with her father double crossin’ King and the shit they were gettin’ into, and there was talk her uncle was involved with Dax somehow. Likely an investor of some sort, I’m not one hundred percent sure, but somethin’ wasn’t sittin’ right with me. The whole thing felt off, so I started lookin’ into it and I can’t find any substantial evidence that Aviana is indeed livin’ a happy life somewhere else. The girl we saw, I don’t think it’s her.”
“We got no way of double checkin’ that, Mykel. No way. We’ve got so much shit goin’ down here, I can’t be lookin’ into her as well. Whatever happened to Aviana, it happened because of her family.”
“I think she’s been sold.”
I tip my head to the side. “And you’re thinkin’ that why?”
“Call it a gut feeling, I think she would have talked too much, made too much noise about everythin’. After all, the club was fuckin’ on her hit list and so was her family, she was goin’ to piece shit together and cause an all-out war they were tryin’ to avoid. Either that, or her uncle knows exactly where she is and she ain’t livin’ the dream life.”
“Again, I’m not sure what you’d have me do about it, brother?”
“She means something to Briella, she really does. If you’re wantin’ to fix whatever it is you’ve broken right now, you’re goin’ to consider Aviana because havin’ her back, knowin’ she’s safe, is goin’ to ease somethin’ in Briella that maybe she needs right about now.”