Anguished (Crimson Elite Book 2)

by T. L Smith

  “Son, just leave it for now.”

  I do as my family says. Not for her, though. No. Mike will still be hearing about what she said to me soon enough.

  “I don’t think you should be here,” Selena says as she wipes at her fake tears.

  I lean down to her. “Lucky for you I don’t care what you say.”

  Sitting next to my mother, she lays her head on my shoulder and something in me moves. Not once in the last ten years has my mother showed me affection. Not once. It’s always been directed at Mike. I run my hand through her hair and she breaks out in a sob so loud it’s painful to witness.

  “We really like Storm, son. She’s lovely.” My mother lifts her head nodding.

  “How can you talk about her at a time like this?” Selena yells.

  “It helps to stop us think the worst. And Selena, if you’re going to be jealous, please take it elsewhere,” my mother says wiping tears from her face.

  “I like her, too.”

  My mother taps my shoulder before she cries again.

  “We didn’t mean to ring Storm. We couldn’t get hold of you,” my father says stroking my mother’s back trying to comforting her.

  “It’s fine. I’m sure she didn’t mind.”

  Storm walks around the corner, her long red hair is down and there’s a look of sadness on her face.

  “You need to leave, now,” Selena says pointing to the door behind Storm.

  Storm goes to turn, but I call her name, “Storm,” making her stop. “Please, stay.”

  She nods and sits next to me, her hand falls into mine. My mother touches her briefly as a thank you as she walks past her.

  “I wasn’t sure, but I wanted to be here.”

  “Thank you.”

  She nods and offers a weak smile.

  25

  Storm

  It’s the right thing to do, or so I keep telling myself. To come and be here for him. His parents called, and I knew he’d need someone who was on his side. From what I saw, and have been told briefly by Echo, his parents are never on his side.

  His hand squeezes mine as we all wait patiently. Selena’s death glaring me as I sit close to Echo. I don’t know how she can even care right now when her husband’s in the hospital. What the fuck is wrong with her?

  “Let me go get us some coffees.” I go to stand, but Echo doesn’t remove his hand from mine or let me go.

  “No, don’t go.”

  I nod sitting down, his head falls onto my shoulder and when I look up Selena’s burning holes into me from across the room.

  “You should leave, now,” she stays standing.

  “Sit down, Selena,” Echo says not moving away from me. His hand stays gripped in mine not letting me move that either. “You’re about to cause a scene that doesn’t need to be done here because you’re jealous. Get over yourself.”

  She stamps her foot down like a toddler and I stop myself from shaking my head at her childish ways. “You can’t have her here. She doesn’t belong.”

  Echo straightens in his seat, his back lifting from the chair as he sits up. I grip his hand to stop him from moving forward.

  “Sit. Down. Selena. Storm is more than welcome,” Echo’s father says making Selena’s eye twitch as she looks from them to us.

  “Sit your ass down, girl.”

  She turns and sees all three men behind her, Echo relaxes at the sight of them. I only know one, and have seen the other once. Falcon, Tracey’s brother, walks over and kisses Echo’s mother on the cheek and shakes his father’s hand. They all do the same as they come and take a seat near us.

  “Storm.” Falcon nods to me, I smile as his eyes drift to Echo’s hand still in mine.

  “Thanks for coming.”

  I’m guessing he didn’t ask them to come, but they did anyway.

  “Creed…” Echo nods to a man that has hair so dark it matches his eyes, “… this is Storm.” Creed does nothing as he sits down.

  “Any news on the baby?” The guy named Creed looks up then shakes his head.

  “Darby, this is Storm.” Darby offers me his hand and shakes it before he returns to a seat near the other two. Darby looks like a man of power like he has this and every situation under control.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” I say in a small voice.

  “Why are they here?” Selena asks crossing her arms over each other.

  “What’s up your ass?” Falcon questions leaning over to her.

  “Fuck off,” she spits at him. He smiles and sits back in his seat as he winks at me. I smile because now it’s him who she’s annoyed with and not me. Which makes me happy to not have her attention anymore.

  Echo’s hot breath tickles my ear as he leans in close. “We still need to talk.” I nod because yes we do, just not here. His lips touch the spot directly below my ear and he kisses it softly as he squeezes my hand. That’s unfair, so unfair. If this wasn’t the situation we were in right now, I can guarantee his lips would not be touching me, well, not so fast anyway.

  My resolve for him dies each and every time. My cell dings and I reach for it and pull it out of my pocket with my free hand.

  How’s your number ten going, he win you back yet?

  “Who’s number ten?” Echo’s voice whispers in my ear as he clearly, with no shame reads over my shoulder. I slide the cell into my pocket not even bothering to reply.

  “No one,” I say shaking my head.

  He lifts his, so he can see me clearly. “Who’s number ten?”

  I open my mouth to tell him it’s him, when suddenly his parents stand and Selena does too. Echo lets go of my hand as he goes to stand next to his parents, his hand touching his mother’s shoulder as they listen to whatever the doctor has to say. Looking away, I gaze over at the three guys sitting in front of me, all of which are staring at me. My smile is weak as I look at them. What water do they drink here to make all these men so fucking good looking?

  “Have you known Echo for a long time?” Falcon jumps over to where Echo was sitting next to me and places his hand at the back of my chair before he answers, “School friend. So, forever.” I nod looking back at Echo who’s staring at me then back to the doctor.

  “Did you know Mike well, as well?” Only Falcon answers as the other two remain quiet. Creed is currently attached to his cell and only looking up when he needs to.

  “You could say that. We know him better than most,” Falcon answers tapping the back of my chair. He leans in close, not as close as Echo gets, but close enough that only those right near me will hear. “Now Selena, on the other hand, we’ve known her just as long and not one good word should be spoken about her. If I were you, I would watch that one.”

  I nod my head, I’ve already worked that fact out for myself.

  The family walk over. Echo’s looking down as he reaches us. Falcon moves to let him take his seat. His hand slides into mine making my hand feel even smaller compared to his large one. My thumb runs on the outside softly, as I stare waiting to see what the news is, and wondering how hands can be so attractive. Is that even possible?

  “Tell me, what did they say?” This time it’s not Falcon who asks, it’s Darby who leans forward in his seat. Looking up Echo’s watching me as I stroke his hand, so it takes him a moment to answer him.

  “They’re taking him into recovery. They got the bullet out and everything looks good. He’ll have to stay in here for a few days to make sure he’s okay.” Everyone breathes a sigh of relief at his words. I even pull my hand out of his and envelop him in a hug. He pulls me tight to him, his face in my hair as he leans in breathing me in.

  “Stay with me tonight.”

  I want to tell him no. That it’s not something we should be doing. We need clear heads before we jump into things again. I need to work out if this is what I even want. If I can put up with everything that comes with being with him.

  Will I be worth it?

  Will he be worth it?

  I’m getting older. I want those
things that women my age don’t want—marriage, family, and even the career for now but will happily give up for my children. We still have a long way to go—I don’t even know if we work. How can we be so broken yet somehow want to stick to each other like glue?

  Glue doesn’t hold everything together, it’s a BandAid that covers the real problems. I want to sew it back together with all our pieces magically intertwined.

  It will take a long time for us to reach that point, and that’s even if I want to.

  “You’re about to say, no. Please. Just be with me.”

  Eyes are still on me, I can feel them burning through me. Selena has a smug smile on her face as she watches me fight what I already know is going to win, and his friends are watching as well. I almost feel pressured, but that’s silly it’s not what he’s doing at all.

  His hand slips back into mine as I nod my head.

  “Nothing else, Echo, not yet.” He nods as he stands keeping our hands intertwined.

  “You’ll call if you hear anything else?” he asks looking at his parents who both nod.

  “Thank you for coming, Storm. It was nice to see you again.”

  I lean down and cuddle his mother, who taps my back before I pull away.

  “I’ll come back tomorrow with Echo. Is there anything you’d like me to bring?”

  I can feel Echo’s eyes on me, but I don’t dare turn to look at him.

  “No, sweetheart, we’re fine.”

  Behind us, I feel all the boys and know they’re going to walk out with us.

  “You aren’t welcome here,” Selena says as we turn to leave. I choose to ignore her, she doesn’t get a say. It’s his parents who are hurting the most.

  “Selena, if you choose to continue speaking to Storm the way you do, I’ll throw your ass out myself,” Echo says as we walk past her. She gasps but doesn’t say another word as laughter filters from behind me.

  “That bitch has no respect. Hopefully, Mike wakes up and kicks her ass to the curb.”

  I turn to see all three smiling at Echo’s words.

  “Mike loves her.”

  Echo shakes his head. “He doesn’t, he’s just lost in her. She isn’t worth his love.”

  All five of us step into the elevator, it’s a tough job being surrounded by men who could make any woman’s panties fly off with just a single look. Echo pulls me so my back is to his front with his arms around my waist. I don’t hold his hands just stand still unsure of what to do. He clearly needs the comfort and I’m trying to give it to him, even though my insides are conflicted right now.

  “So… you two a thing?” Falcon asks.

  I stand still looking at the floor then to the doors, hoping they will open soon, so I can escape.

  “Not yet.”

  His answer shocks me. I look up at him and see him smiling at me. He’s cocky. I like that about him.

  “Maybe you should work on changing that, or other people might try to interfere,” Falcon says. I look away from Echo’s blue eyes to see Creed hit the back of Falcon’s head hard while shaking his head. No one else says anything until the doors open and we all walk out.

  “Echo…” We all stop just before we get to the doors. Turning around Selena is there, her head turned down before she looks up to us slowly. “Can we, talk?”

  “Unbelievable,” Darby mutters.

  “No one likes desperate, Selena. It never looks good on anyone, least of all you,” Falcon says before he turns, walking out with the rest following him. I start to move as well, but Echo holds me, so I have to stay.

  “You loved me, do you remember that?”

  This is awkward.

  So fucking awkward.

  I shouldn’t be here listening to this.

  “You see… that’s the problem. I never really did.”

  Her eyes go wide at his words. “I made a mistake, Echo.”

  “Many, so I’m told.”

  Her eyes lift to me then to where his hand is still on me before they go back to him. “You think you love her? You’re a fool. She doesn’t love you. I know love, and she doesn’t have it for you.” She spins on her heels turning away.

  “I’ve never met someone who’s so full of drama in my life,” I mutter, looking up at him. “And you put up with it for years. Honestly, you need a medal.”

  I smile, trying to take the seriousness of what Selena just confessed to Echo, that he loves me out of the equation. He strokes my face softly, leans down, kisses my lips as we turn to leave not answering me. I think he knows what I’m doing.

  26

  Echo

  She goes to sit in the car as I say goodbye to the guys. They all wait until she’s in before they speak.

  Falcon, of course, being the first. “You picked a normal woman. How does it feel not to deal with crazy anymore?” He laughs looking back to Selena who’s still standing by the door like a fool watching us.

  “Your turn next,” I say to Darby.

  He shakes his head and walks off, Creed following him. Handing Falcon the keys, he nods his head to the car where Storm is seated before he also walks off. He looks back once. “Make sure you hit that, she’s way to fine for your stanky ass.”

  I flip him the bird as I walk to the car. Storm has the car started and ready when I get in. She starts driving in the direction of my house without me saying a word.

  “Do you have clothes?”

  She looks in her backseat then nods her head. “I haven’t unpacked yet from seeing Mel.”

  “Thank you, Storm.” She nods indicating when she turns. “You didn’t have to come.”

  “I know.” She won’t look at me as she drives.

  “So why did you?”

  Her hands grip the steering wheel harder. “Because it was the right thing to do.”

  “That’s not why. Why did you really come?”

  She licks her lips as we get closer to my house. “You didn’t have anyone else.” She’s right, not in that family. She knows how they treat me and wants to be the one that’s there for me.

  “Are you regretting it now? Coming, I mean?”

  She shrugs her shoulders then pulls up in my driveway before she looks to me.

  “Will you make me regret it, Echo?”

  I firmly shake my head. “No, I promise.”

  “Okay, then.” She gets out when I do, so I reach into the back seat grabbing her bag as we make our way to the front.

  “You have to tell me though, it’s been eating at me. Who’s ten?”

  I watch as she cringes, then shakes her head. “It’s nothing, just something silly between friends.”

  “It sounded like a guy.” Opening the door, I block her way from going inside. “I need to know who ten is?”

  “It’s you, you’re my ten. Now, just leave it.”

  I didn’t expect to hear those words. “What do you mean, ‘I’m your ten’?”

  Her eyes close and reopen with a heavy sigh. “A ten is someone who’s your dream guy. A seven is someone you settle for. A five is someone you sleep with. You getting my drift here?”

  “So, what does a ten usually have? You know… best looking?”

  “Yes, Echo, you are the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. You are my ten. Though, you are losing notches each and every day with your issues. Issues I never wanted to be signed up to. I wanted fun with you, but I get more than complicated.”

  “I see….” She walks in already knowing her way around the place and heads straight to the kitchen grabbing a water. “So, no sex?” I ask in the hope she’ll help me forget. Everything. She’s good at that. Becoming my main focus when it’s only us.

  The water spits from her mouth all over the bench. “Do you want me to leave?” I shake my head. “No, Echo, no sex.” She looks around the room. “Maybe it’s best I sleep on the sofa then?”

  “No,” I say stepping closer to her. “Don’t. I’ll behave. I need to feel you close, at least for tonight.” She nods then we both walk silently to my room.
I start removing my clothes, I have to take a shower I’ve been in these same ones all day, and I need to be clean. Hospitals always make me feel dirty, which is funny considering they’re meant to be the cleanest places.

  Tearing the rest of them off, I step into the shower. I don’t even bother shutting the door, I have no shame and she’s already seen everything I have to offer. So, no point in hiding. Just as I’m about to turn the water off, the tap starts running and I push the curtain back to see her standing at the sink brushing her teeth. I don’t think I ever once saw Selena brush hers, because in her words ‘it’s disgusting.’

  “I like having you here.”

  She nods, rinses out her mouth, as I wrap the towel around me and follow her back to the room. “It’s just for tonight.”

  I bite my lip from saying something I know she might not want to hear, that I don’t want her to go, and I want her to stay. I’m afraid if I say those words she might run the other way, when tonight I need to keep her right where she is, which is climbing into my bed.

  I pull on some briefs and hop in behind her. Storm’s on her cell flicking through as I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her to me. She comes over without a fight.

  “I like your brother,” she says pulling me from the world where I was about to get lost and hopefully never leave.

  I push her hair back from her face so I can see her better.

  “That usually isn’t a positive thing for me.”

  She giggles but I’m serious.

  “I don’t like him in the way I like you, Echo. I like him as a person. I think you two just haven’t seen things right, maybe for some time now. All I’m saying is I like him and I hope he makes a speedy recovery, and when he does, maybe you can talk to him and sort out some of the issues.”

  I go to kiss her cheek, then stop and just run my finger on her neck as I keep her to me.

  “I’m not sure I can let you go,” I mumble while falling asleep.

  “It’s not up to you,” she replies.

  She’s gone when I wake. I can still smell Storm, but there’s no sign of her. Just as I sit up, she walks in holding two coffees with a smile that surely can’t be reserved for me.