Bentley: Vested Interest #1
Page 24
“You’re such a coward.”
“I don’t want to do this, Bent,” I begged. “Please. Help me.”
“I’ll be glad when you’re gone. You’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass. I’ve put up with you long enough.”
“No—we’re friends! You said so!”
He shrugged his shoulder dismissively. “No, you were useful, but I’m done. You might as well rid the world of the waste of space you are.”
He turned, walking away, ignoring my pleas.
The room felt cold, the air making me shiver. I looked around. I was alone, abandoned by one of the few people I thought I could trust. I shut my eyes, pressing the cold steel to my skin.
“Stop.”
My eyes flew open at the sound of her voice. Cami stood in front of me.
“Don’t do this, Aiden.”
“I have no choice.”
“You do.” She extended her hand. “Come with me.”
“No. I’m not what you need. I’m not what anyone needs.”
“If you pull that trigger, you’ll never find out.”
I shook my head, pressing the gun closer.
I felt her leave. The darkness surrounded me.
I squeezed the trigger.
With a loud gasp, I bolted upright in bed. I drew in much-needed oxygen, trying frantically to tamp down my panic. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I fumbled with the light, snapping it on, staring around the room. Still terrified, I ran my hands over my torso and head, feeling for the blood, the hole left by the gun. There was nothing but a sheen of sweat that covered my entire body.
Desperately thirsty, I reached for the water bottle on the nightstand and drained it, then tossed the bottle to the side. I hung my head as my breathing gradually returned to normal, and my heartrate slowed down.
It was a nightmare. Not the first, and certainly not the last I would have.
However, this one was different. More intense than ever, and vivid with the last part of Greg. I knew his death was still on my mind. It lingered on the edges, drilling itself deep into my psyche, and coming out when I tried to sleep.
The last time I’d had a bad one, I woke up beside Cami. She had soothed me. Held me close, and comforted me until I fell asleep again. Wrapped in her embrace, the dream hadn’t returned.
Tonight, I was alone, and I knew without a doubt, it would come back—over and again, until I dragged myself from my bed and started the day.
It was how it had to be. Because, nightmare or not, the message of the dream was correct, and always would be.
I was worthless, and she wouldn’t be beside me again. She deserved so much more than I could ever be for her.
I rose, and grabbed a pair of sweatpants. I’d work out, then head into the office. At least, there, I could be something other than what my dreams told me.
I could be Aiden, loyal friend to Bentley and Maddox. Part of a successful company. Respected by many, admired by some. Wealthy, humorous, and without a care in the world.
It was a great cover. No one ever looked past it to my real self.
The one I kept hidden.