Page 68

Five months later…

The sun has started to slowly set, relieving me of the hot sun beating against my skin as I walk down the path to the cemetery. I haven’t been able to bring myself to come here, mostly because it makes it real and I don’t want it to be. I still smell him, feel him, everywhere. I swear I see his beautiful face in a packed crowd and hear him whisper, “Kitten” even when it’s loud. What I would give to see him again, to kiss him, hold him, just be in his presence one more fucking time. We are all suffering without him. Nothing is the fucking same, and it’s because even though they have always said I’m the glue, they were wrong. Dario was the glue; is the glue. He made sure we were all okay, taken care of. He kept everyone in line and now? Now we are all lost. There’s days I can’t even get out of bed because I’d rather dream, dream of the man I truly cannot live without. The others have tried to help the best they can, but we all feel it. We all feel the loss of him. It lingers in the air so potently.

Rubbing my belly as the twins kick and stretch out in my enormous stomach, I slow my pace as I round the corner of the crypt we had made for our loved ones. It was Ryder’s idea to have everyone in an enclosed mausoleum. Walking up the steps, the wind blows against my skin. I take a deep breath and open the glass door.

Stepping inside, I shiver looking at all the names; I sit on the cold concrete bench, running my finger over the engraved D as tears stream down my face. Falling to my knees, I sob, holding my belly. “How do you expect me to live without you? I can’t, Rio. I miss you so fucking much it hurts. Why? It wasn’t your time and I know you would argue that, but fuck you, Dario! You were meant for so much more. I shouldn't be here. We should be celebrating our babies being born next month, together. Now I have to do it without you. How fucking dare you do that to me. Why did you get in the truck? Why didn't you get out? We could’ve saved you. Why? Why!” I scream as I sob. This is why I haven’t come here. This is too hard. I didn’t want to face it. I didn’t want to face it all those months ago and I hate that I am now. “I just want to feel you, Big Man. Please. What I would give to just have one more fucking minute looking into your eyes, feeling your soft lips against mine and your rough hands holding me, protecting me; us.” I hiccup. “I love you, and I don’t know how to navigate this life with your brothers by myself. I’m lost just like they are.” I whisper as the babies kick. “I promise to tell your daughters everything about you and never ever let them forget you.” I grip the bench using it to pick myself up off the dirt floor. I stand, wiping my tears as the door opens to my left. I can’t make out the figure now that the sun has set. The hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention, alerting me that whoever this is, is a threat. I grip my knife on my right leg as I turn to face the person. A sharp pain laces my stomach, causing me to be momentarily stunned as the figure removes the knife from my stomach just to stab me again, only this time, twisting it inside me.

“I’ve been watching you all these months, waiting for the most opportune time to get to you. I knew you’d show up here alone, completely vulnerable, and now you’ll be in the box next to the rest of them.” He spits and I gasp, feeling wetness pour from between my legs along with the blood dripping down my side.

“Fuck you, Dalton.” I growl, jabbing him in the hip with my knife. He smiles as I fall to my knees, hitting the dirt ground so hard.

“I send my regards to the Queen! Good riddance!” He spits, stumbling to the door, throwing it open and leaving me here bleeding out. Pain laces my entire stomach as I try to hold the gash he left, but my vision begins to spin. Reaching in my bra for my phone. I hit number one, knowing this will bring me to Jamie. My vision spins again as I scream from the pain.

“Princess, are you on your way home?” He asks.

“J-jamie. H-elp m-me!” I whisper.

“Jadeeeeee!!!!” He screams as I drop the phone next to me. I just need to close my eyes for a minute.

“I love you. Save the babies.” I whisper as blood continues to seep through my hands.

“T-thank y-you for ll-oving mm-ee. I’m sorry. S-save the babies.” I say as screams come from the other end of the phone. I take a deep breath and wait until everything beautiful turns to darkness.

…..To be continued in the Explosive Final Book ANARCHY.