Page 47 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

W e are all questioned for hours, but we are given clothes and food and are allowed to be together.

I think the police are worried about the issue of officers on their own payroll helping cover this up.

Lally is going to be put under protective detail, but as we wait in the police station, we watch the news.

It’s spreading like wildfire. Not even Senator Kellen will be able to stop this shit show.

“What happens now?” Lally whispers. “This won’t stop him and whoever else helped with those sick games.”

“It will,” I tell her. “He can’t hide anymore. You started the fire that will burn him alive. Leave the rest to the world now. It’s their job. We’ve done ours.”

“All those people who died . . .” She looks so heartbroken, and I press my forehead to hers.

“Will be remembered, and the truth will be known. That’s all we can do for them.

You did this, Lally. You stopped Risk and saved so many lives.

Whatever else happened, whatever else you feel, remember that without you, that game would have gone on.

No one dared to stand up to them, but you did.

” I shake my head, remembering my terror.

“You called yourself a coward, but you are far from it.”

“I owed them. I didn’t save them,” she whispers, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “I wanted to be a better person—not just for me, but for you. I needed to keep you safe, no matter the cost.”

“Let us help next time,” Alek grumbles, chastising us both softly. “I’m still mad as hell, and we will be having many, many conversations about what happened, but for now, Alice is right. You did the right thing.”

“Do you think we’ll ever have a quiet week?” Skylar teases, and I laugh.

“I don’t think so,” I reply.

“Quiet? How boring,” Evan jokes. “Although, I would like to stop coming to police stations.”

“Right? I like the cuffs, but the actual station is boring. It is where Bones and I fell in love though,” Skylar comments wistfully.

“Is not,” Bones scoffs.

“Is too,” Sky retorts.

Shaking my head in exasperation, I meet Lally’s eyes and kiss the back of her hand. “It’s all going to be okay. Trust me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Are you going to protect me?” she teases.

“Always.”

We’re smiling at each other when there’s a commotion.

“Those are my clients,” a snapping voice barks, and we all turn.

“Father.” Bones stands, his face closed down and unsure.

I remember him from Tommy’s murder, but as I glance between father and son, it’s clear I don’t know much about their relationship. His father nods stiffly. “I heard you were here. I came to help in any way I can.”

Bones blinks, looking at Skylar then him. “Help?”

“Yes.” He tilts his chin up. “I’m a damn good lawyer, in case you didn’t know. I also have friends in high places. Nobody will touch my son . . . or his friends.” He runs his eyes over us.

Bones looks at us and then to his father. “I won’t make a deal for your help.”

“You don’t need to,” his father responds, “nor do I expect you to forgive me. I just want . . . I just want to help.”

Skylar stands, taking Bones’s hand, but he lets him speak. “Fine,” Bones finally responds. “Help us stop this bastard and keep my family safe.”

In the end, we are allowed to leave. Bones’s father stays to help with the investigation, and we are escorted by police officers just in case, so we all decide to stay at Alek’s. It’s weird being home. I hesitate in the living room, and Alek crosses his arms.

“It’s been a long day, go get some rest. I will wait to yell at you until tomorrow.” He drops his arms and drags me into a bear hug. It’s then I sense the slight shake in his body. “Don’t ever take off on me like that again, please.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him as he pulls back and grabs Lally to hug her too, the surprise on her face comical.

“Or you. We don’t do heroic shit around here alone, okay?” He shoves her away. “Go, both of you, to bed,” he orders.

“Yes, Dad.” She salutes before winking at Evan. “I would call him Daddy, but I have a feeling you already do.”

I gag as she grins at me before taking my hand, and then we head upstairs. My room is still as I left it, and I collapse onto the bed. Lally flops down next to me, turning her head to meet my gaze.

“No more heroics or doing things alone,” I tell her. “Don’t do that to me.”

“I wanted to keep you safe,” she whispers.

“I know, and I love you for that, but if you aren’t safe . . .” Shaking my head, I shiver in horror, and she pulls me closer. “I was so scared that I wasn’t going to be fast enough. Please don’t ever do that to me again.”

“I won’t. I promise. It’s over. Get some sleep. I’ll be right here, baby,” she says as she kisses my forehead and drags me into her arms. I soak in her warmth, still shivering in fear, but she holds me through it until I finally let go and drift off.

When I wake up, Lally is gone, and I panic. Throwing on a cardigan, I hurry out of my room and run downstairs, but when I hear their voices, I relax.

I can’t help but stop and smile as I look around the kitchen.

Alek is bustling around the stove, cooking.

Evan is helping him. They share smiles and move with comfortable familiarity.

Bones is reading a newspaper while Skylar stares at him adoringly.

Lally sits at the table, and she turns as if sensing me, holding her hand out.

As I head her way and take it, letting her pull me into my seat, I feel like crying.

Our house is so full, fuller than it has ever been, and I want us to be together like this every day.

Lally picks up my hand and kisses the back of it as she laces her fingers with mine. I was so scared yesterday. There was a moment when I thought I was going to be too late and I would lose her. That will haunt me until the day I die.

Losing her is the only thing in this world that scares me.

Alek sits as he passes out plates, and Evan perches on his lap. I look around at this family I found, one brought together through hardships and spilled blood. We have suffered to get here, but I know we can get through anything.

I always grieved for the family I would never have, but I’ve finally found it. Moreover, so has the love of my life. Lally finally has a family who cares for her, who will always come for her, and that makes me happier than anything else.

“We’re talking after breakfast,” Alek warns us, and Lally and I groan, but when I catch her smiling, I can’t help but mirror it. She will take being told off by him anytime, as long as he doesn’t stop. He isn’t just my father figure—he’s hers too.

“Oh, you’re in trouble,” Skylar teases. “Best of luck.”

“Mommy,” Lally whines as she looks at Evan. “Daddy is being mean. I suffered recently, so I should be pampered.”

Evan scoffs as he sips the coffee Alek holds out for him. When he’s done, Alek wipes his lips and drinks from the same mug. “Don’t look at me. I’m mad as hell too.”

“All this stress isn’t good for the baby.” Lally sighs, and every head swings in her direction, including mine.

“What baby?” Alek roars. “Did you cheat on my sister?”

“Me. I’m the baby.” Lally points at herself then sobers up. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was happening.”

“It’s not all on you,” I interject before they can go off on her. I know it comes from love, but I don’t want her to be upset. “I didn’t tell them either.”

“Neither did I,” Bones adds.

I grin. “I guess we all fucked up.”

“Not me, I’m an angel,” Skylar says, but we ignore him.

“Fine, I’m still going to talk to you after this,” Alek warns, pointing at us, and Evan leans in.

“Just no more secrets, okay? We’re family, Lally. There is nothing you can’t tell us,” he murmurs, looking far too sad.

“I know. I just needed to deal with this in my own way, okay? But Alice had her own ideas.” She winks at me.

“Why did you enter the game?” Alek mutters, pointing at Lally.

Biting her lip, she glances at me, and I nod. “I got in some trouble at college. They took my scholarship from me. Unless I pay my tuition, I’m out. The idea of them taking the last connection I had to Tommy broke something inside me.”

“If you needed money, you should have said so,” Skylar scoffs, and he pulls out his wallet and throws a card at her. “Here, use whatever you need.”

Shaking her head, she slides it back. “I don’t want anyone’s pity.”

“It isn’t pity.” Skylar frowns. “We’re friends. We shared snacks. Money comes and goes, but friends like us don’t.”

“That was almost sweet.” Bones pats Sky’s hand.

“Besides, who else will get into trouble with me?” He groans as Bones smacks him.

Lally shakes her head, but she’s grinning, and Evan is watching her. “You know that isn’t true, right? No matter what, this is just a place, not your last connection to Tommy. He lives on in you, in me, and in everyone he met. You can’t get rid of him that easily.”

“I know. I just . . . I couldn’t lose it, okay?

I was already lost, and the idea that I would lose my last semblance of normal .

. . I saw no other way out.” She stares at the table, looking crestfallen.

“I know it was dumb. I wish Alice had never gotten involved, and I’m sorry she was hurt because of my mistakes. ”

“We aren’t just worried because of Alice,” Alek mutters.

“You’re important to us too, Lally. You’re like another little sister to me.

I hate to consider anything happening to you without us there.

No matter what occurs, you can always come to us.

The door is always open. I might yell and get angry, but I would always help you no matter what. ”

“I know,” she admits as she glances around at us. “I do. I just forgot for a while. I lost myself, but I promise I’m better now. I will be better.”

“Good,” Alek grumbles. “You’re still in trouble though.”

We all groan.

Bones nudges me as we sit side by side on the sofa. Lally is on my other side, listening as Alek rants and paces before us. Evan and Skylar are sitting opposite us, sharing a bowl of popcorn.

“How long will he do this for?”

Leaning in, I lower my voice. “When I was sent home for causing trouble at school, he ranted for three hours.”

Lally and Bones both groan, but they sit up taller when Alek stops, pointing at us. “Listen or I will yell. As I was saying, it was reckless, foolish—” He carries on, and we nod stiffly, listening to him tell us all off like naughty children.

When he starts to run out of steam, he stops pacing. “Now for your punishments.”

“Not to fear, my bestie,” Skylar calls as he gets to his feet. “I will punish my boy.”

Bones bites back a smile as Skylar salutes us and grabs Bones, throwing him over his shoulder and smacking his ass. “Bad angel. Let me take you home. I’ll use the whips tonight.” He waves at us, and Bones waves as well as they head to the door.

Laughing, I share a look with Lally before we pretend to be serious when Alek crosses his arms. “I’m still furious.

” He drops his arms and kneels in front of us, taking each of our hands.

“But I forgive you. Just don’t pull that shit again, okay?

Don’t ever terrify me like that again. I can’t lose any more family. ”

“I’m sorry.” I never wanted to hurt my brother, and that’s why he’s so angry, because he’s hurt and worried.

“Me too,” Lally promises, and Alek grumbles but tugs us both into a hug.

My head presses against his shoulder, and when I meet Lally’s eyes over his back, she reaches across and covers my hand with hers, and I know she’s going to be okay.

We are going to be okay.