by Janie Marie
Lorelei focused on Kevin, then Kylie, before settling on Maura. She stumbled forward, her eyes watering as she dropped down beside them. “What did you do to her?”
It took a few seconds for Kylie to realize Lorelei was speaking to her, and her mouth dropped open in shock when they both looked at her. “Me?”
“You did this,” Lorelei screamed, patting Maura’s cheek.
“I did nothing,” Kylie screamed right back. “She talked about a man. And you!”
“Sir? Are you there? Your community medical response team is at your door. You need to let them in. The fire department and ambulance are on their way.”
“Tell them to break the damn door down,” Kevin yelled, staring between Lorelei and Kylie.
Sixteen
Not My Blood
Blood.
Everywhere Kylie looked, there it was. Red, sticky blood. It soaked through her pajamas, stained her hands and face, and it was buried deep under her nails.
She let out a small sob as the image of Maura being loaded in the back of an ambulance surfaced in her mind. She didn’t understand what she was feeling. She hated Maura, but she couldn’t get rid of the pain in her stomach at the thought of her truly dying—right there in her arms, no less. It was worse than any beating, and she wanted it to go away. She wanted to forget everything she’d just experienced.
No. Everything. She wanted to forget everything—every time she’d wished death on Maura, the many times she’d lain there in pain, wishing she could see Maura covered in blood. The image of Maura . . .
Kylie pressed her lips together and pushed herself deeper into the waiting room chair. She glanced up when she heard footsteps but sighed because it was just a nurse passing by.
Kevin and Lorelei had been taken to a private waiting area where one of the surgeons would be coming to speak with them, and she was left all by herself.
She wished she could tell Logan to come, but he hadn’t responded to her call, and she didn’t have it in her to call him again. She was so conflicted about him. Because despite everything she was dealing with regarding Maura, she couldn’t stop her thoughts from drifting to the whole mess with Logan. The mean but honest advice from Ryder, and the absolute hatred she’d felt when Logan took Janie’s hand so he could take her home.
It made her feel so stupid for wanting him there. No, she didn’t want him there. She wanted to throw her phone in the trash and not talk to him until he actually made it clear she was his choice, not Janie.
He said he’d leave everything behind, but would he really do it? Would he cut Janie out of his life for her, like a good boyfriend should? Pathetically, she feared even if he did, he’d forever be looking behind him, waiting for his baby doll to appear.
She didn’t want to think about that, but she knew if they went through with things, she’d have to choose to be okay with it. Maybe if he didn’t tell her that’s what he was doing, as long as he stayed by her side, she would be happy.
It was possible. She’d eventually get her inheritance, leave town, and they’d live happily ever after. If she was lucky, he’d forget Janie after a few years. That would be a true happy ending.
Kylie closed her eyes as she tried to forget it all, but instead of darkness, she saw the moment Janie had given Logan a watery smile as she let go of Ryder, and how Logan’s face had lit up.
“Fitting, you actually look like you’ve just finished walking through hell.”
Kylie opened her eyes and instantly wished she hadn’t.
Luc Godson turned to the man beside him, nodding before addressing him. “Go find out what’s happened.”
The man looked oddly familiar to Kylie, and she blinked several times as she tried to figure out if she knew him or not.
“I’d rather go check on—”
Luc cut him off. “That’s who I was referring to, Mr. Grimm. Despite recent events, I know my brother will be arriving shortly, and I’m certain he will be an unstoppable force when he gets here. Now do as I say. I’d like to talk with Miss Hood. I believe she has no clue about what’s happened.”
“Luc . . .” Mr. Grimm darted his eyes back and forth between them. “I told you Logan’s not interested in this one. He’s with Janie.”
Kylie couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “Oh, Jesus Christ! Please shut up about Janie. No one gives a fuck.”
Luc’s expression didn’t change. “Your word choice is somewhat amusing, but poorly timed. Now do be quiet. You understand little of Mr. Grimm’s relationship with Miss Mortaime. Have some manners. We are in a hospital, after all.”
Kylie was about to yell again, but she locked eyes with the man beside him. Mr. Grimm. He looked like an older, more dangerous version of Logan. “Oh, shit.”
Luc carried on as though she wasn’t even there. “I’ll decide for myself what I believe about your son’s insensitive little friend here. Now go.”
Lance Grimm didn’t bat a single eye in her direction before he walked down the hall.
“I suppose there’s no need to introduce myself . . .” He removed his suit jacket, revealing he was wearing a gun, as he sat across from her. “Not quite the way you pictured meeting your boyfriend’s father, I imagine. Do you realize Janie is his goddaughter? Among many other things, he views her as his own daughter. Yet here you are”—he gestured to her casually—“screaming about how no one gives a fuck about her. That will come back to bite you, Miss Hood.”
“I don’t want to talk to you,” she told him as he stared her down. “And Logan isn’t my boyfriend. I can hate her however much I want to. It’s not like I knew he’s practically her second daddy.”
“Third,” he said. His calm exterior sent chills down her spine. So many things about him sent alarm bells off. His slicked-back gunmetal gray hair and white suit said he was all business, and he had the Godson genes, too. High cheekbones, irresistible jawline, and a piercing gaze that could read your soul. Those eyes met hers and she froze. “Janie’s birth father was killed when she was a small child,” he clarified. “I’m sure Logan told you that. It would no doubt be a reason why he would ask her for help. Perhaps that doesn’t matter to you. Or you think no other girl has ever lost both her parents before.”
She blinked, freeing herself from the hold he had on her. “He told me. I just don’t care.” She really didn’t.
“Exactly my point,” Luc said. “You see, though, Lance Grimm was a father figure to her until her mother married Arthur Knight. Considering the current circumstances, your horrible comment about her just moments ago were probably the worst thing you could say in his presence. Or in front of anyone who cares for her.”
“Thanks for the brief history of Janie Mortaime and Mr. Grimm.” She gave him a nice big fake smile as her heart felt like it was being encased in ice. “I really couldn’t care less if the circumstances—whatever the hell they are—were too badly timed to not kiss Janie’s sensitive ass. I can’t even go to the bathroom without offending her in some way, so sue me.” She gestured to her bloody clothes. “As you can see, I’ve had a rough night. I have loads of rough nights. I guess you people only think about yourselves and good ole Saint Janie.”
“I warned her you would be ungrateful.” He chuckled as he unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them halfway up his forearms.
Her eyes went wide as she discovered they were covered in tattoos. They were strange designs, nothing at all like Logan’s or any other tattoos she’d seen before.
“It’s considered impolite to stare, Miss Hood.”
She swallowed and looked away from his inked skin, hoping someone would pop out of nowhere and take this guy away. Of course, she wasn’t that lucky, so she looked back at his face. Dear God, why are the Godsons so attractive?
He focused on her again and asked, “Do you know where your family is?”
“Somewhere close by,” she answered, watching him lean against the chair.
“Care to share what your rough night involved?” he asked. “That is what you d
esire, yes? For the focus to be on you. Because it would be absurd for me to be at a hospital for anyone other than you.”
Her eyes burned. She wasn’t sure if it was fear, sadness, or anger causing her to want to flee or fight him.
“Not willing to talk?” He tilted his head. “Come now, this is your moment. The last moment you have before you realize the story you’ve stumbled into with Logan Grimm doesn’t revolve around you. In fact, nothing does.”
“Why are you all so mean?” She rubbed her cheek, expecting to find a tear, but there was nothing.
“Mean?” He scanned her huddled form like she was an insect he wanted to crush. “How ironic you would accuse someone else of being mean. And I was merely pointing out what most people understand—everything in the universe is connected. Some of us simply have larger roles to play in the story.”
Kylie felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, but she couldn’t look away from his intense stare.
His lips twitched. “Have you told your boyfriend you’re here?”
“Ex.” She held her breath as he kept staring at her with his weird silvery-gray eyes.
He shook his head. “Did you know the police are speaking with your guardians about the incident that took place in your bedroom this evening?”
The air rushed out of her lungs, but like his brother, he kept telling her everything he wanted her to hear.
“You are about to find yourself in more trouble than you ever imagined.” His voice, even though he was no doubt out to ruin her life, was like a lover’s caress on bruised skin. “I think you should listen to me and consider what I offer you.”
Kylie jerked her gaze around the waiting room. There was only a sleeping man on the far side of the room. “I think I’ll pass,” she said, focusing on Luc as her irritation once again drowned any fear she should have of him. “Call me ungrateful, but from what I know about you, I’d be stupid to accept your help. Thanks, though.” She gave him a big smile. “Now run along. I’m sure Janie is calling you so you can all take turns sticking each other’s heads up her fat ass.”
Absolute rage flashed over his face. “You really should learn proper manners.” He shook his head. “My brother must have achieved sainthood in this life to put up with this.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You people think you’re God’s greatest creations.” She clapped her hands together then held them clasped against her chest. “News flash—you’re just like everyone else. You’re not living in a fairy tale, and you’re not gods or whatever it is you think you all are. You have money, and you use that and your little minions to manipulate people.”
He sighed, staring at a tattoo on his wrist for a long time. “Despite my dislike of you—and yes, I dislike you more than you will ever know—I will inform you that you will soon be asked for an explanation for your involvement in your sister’s condition. What exactly occurred with her I am unsure of just yet, but you will be required to prove your innocence in whatever harm has befallen her tonight.”
Her stomach dropped. Of all things, she hadn’t expected him to throw her own problems in her face, and she was suddenly reminded of why she was at the hospital in the first place. Knife. She had grabbed the knife from Maura before tossing it away. Oh, God. She stared at him wide-eyed. “How do you even know all this?”
“I know everything worth knowing. Just like my brother. We deal in truths—you could say there’s no escaping either of us.” He chuckled, his steel eyes gleaming like sharp knives, ready to cut her apart. “My brother forces you to face every truth about yourself, while I deliver the consequences of those truths. Regarding your stepmother though, I overheard the conversation officers were having with them.”
He watched her as she internally panicked. He watched her like he knew her more than she knew herself. “You look frightened. Are you responsible for her current condition?”
“I didn’t hurt her.” She glared at him, her eyes watering as breathing became more difficult.
“Hm,” was all he said.
Kylie looked around and still found no one. “Why are you here again?” She darted her gaze to him. “In case you haven’t noticed, Janie isn’t here. So you can go be a creep somewhere else.”
He chuckled, an evil sound. “Jealousy is like a disease. It eats everything good within your soul. For you, I suppose it always has.”
“Spare me the unwanted lecture,” she snapped. “I get them from your brother too often. Neither of you know anything about me. I’m not jealous. You both need to get over the fact that some people just don’t like your precious Janie.”
“My, what an ugly heart you have.” He shook his head. “You reek of jealousy, and you are by far one of the most selfish girls I have ever come across. You’ve just happened to find yourself surrounded by Janie’s most devoted . . . Well, we’ll just leave it at that.” He smiled like a damn shark tasting blood in the water. “Wouldn’t want to frighten you away before you have a chance to make your true debut.”
Kylie fought the urge to claw his eyes out.
“You must hide everything really well,” he continued, “or Logan is simply choosing not to accept what is staring me in the eyes right now. Then again, he has always been the worst boyfriend.” He seemed to talk to himself as he looked away. “Perhaps this is all about . . . he’s given up.”
“What?”
“I know the breakup is an act.” He slowly returned his focus to her. “I let her believe I fell for it. Well, I suppose I let all of them believe I did. And I kept my little brother where I needed him so things could fall into place.
“I must say, although it fits your character to be so vindictive, I was surprised by how swiftly you lit a match and tossed it at her feet. When did you even acquire social media?”
“Just shut up and go.” Her face burned from embarrassment and fury. She didn’t know if he was messing with her, which was bad enough, but she was beyond embarrassed he would call her out on not having social media of all things. She always used the computer at home to see what her peers were up to, but she didn’t dare make an account. But she needed one to post, so she made one and used the three biggest platforms to broadcast her heartache. Janie and Ryder didn’t even have profiles, but she knew exactly who to tag to bring Janie down in front of everyone. So with Janie’s phone number, address and the caption “Janie Mortaime, the Queen of Whores”, she tagged the Godson brothers’ girlfriends, and Tercero’s ex—because Elise probably had it in for Janie, too—along with the most popular kids at their school. Last, she tagged Logan’s fighting team profile.
As her humiliation and rage took hold of her, she spat, “She deserved to hurt as much as I was. You’ve just proven how stupid and slutty she was to do this shit to fool you. By the way, she’s crazy, and so is your family. I’ll bring popcorn when I watch you all burn.”
Luc lowered his gaze to the inside of his wrist. “Your choice of words is almost amusing. Sadly, the savageness of your remark is doused by the fact she has done all she can to see that none of you do. She wins, I’m afraid.”
“Do what?” She scoffed but ended up laughing a nervous, fearful laugh that she couldn’t stop. “Who wins?”
He smiled as though there was something very powerful in what he was saying. “I think it’s obvious what and who I am referring to.”
“It’s not.” Kylie took a deep breath; her chest hurt. “All of this stupid shit was for nothing.”
“Not nothing,” he said plainly. “Had they noticed the truth about me, they would’ve seen there was no longer need to fear me hurting her or Logan, or even you. I made it so she would do something drastic. Sometimes these things are necessary.” He kept watching her like he was looking for something in her eyes. “The little act also pulled Mr. Grimm away from the rape allegation. He was maneuvered just right to avoid immediate scandal. While he appears to be innocent, it could’ve done more damage to see the two of you still together. After all, he is known to not be a good boyfriend, and he has gotten
himself into quite a bit of trouble since meeting you.”
He sighed, rubbing the tattoo on his wrist, adding, “Being detained, even for only a few hours, would’ve devastated him and others. And you don’t want to see Janie upset because one of her boys is in trouble.”
She couldn’t stay quiet. “Yes, I’ve heard all about her craziness. Wouldn’t want to see the selfish, crazy ex-girlfriend get upset, now would we?”
“Selfless, crazy ex-girlfriend,” he answered with a genuine, light laugh. “That would be more accurate. I do adore watching her style of crazy though. She has no problem admitting she has issues. It’s endearing. And entertaining.”
Kylie frowned as she watched him stare off in the distance, as though he was picturing something he was fond of.
He faced her again, staring into her eyes before he said, “That’s where it comes from, you know? You want to have all the attention, and you thought you had it. Then she came and showed her flaws and a darkness and suffering that rivals yours. Your problem is you simply can’t stand that so many still look at her in awe. You don’t like being second. You never have.”
She glowered at the tiled floor. Why did he have to be like Ryder and pretend to know more about her than she did?
“You know,” he continued, “my family holds the largest collection of Gods & Monsters’ Fairy Tales. There’s a very old story—one you won’t have read because it is quite special to my family, but I think you should hear something about it.”
“I don’t want to,” she bit out.
Of course, he ignored her request and kept talking. “You see, there was a soul who was very important to the universe, but it was impatient and ungrateful. A promise was made to it, but patience and sacrifice were asked of it, too. The soul was so overwhelmed by the desire to have more—and to have it right then—that it grew unstable. It began to destroy itself as it warred within over what was good and right, and what it desired.
“So God gave this soul a choice: wait, serve, and show patience—or find out what Darkness has to offer.” He gave her an amused smirk. “What a price this little soul paid. The soul was female, by the way, and in the end, she got her ass handed to her in front of Heaven and Hell.”
