Page 37 of Cash

My eyes snapped to Cash. Shit, I’d forgotten he was still here. It happened when I got lost in the thoughts of my brother.

“No. It just figures you have a name so cool you don’t need a road name.”

“What you know about road names?” He tilted his head as he watched me. Like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

“I mean, it’s not rocket science. You’re in a biker club. It makes sense you would have a road name.” I shrugged and turned away from him. His scrutinizing gaze made me uneasy. It felt like if he looked at me too long, he would see the monsters.

I didn’t want him to see the monsters.

I didn’t want anyone to see them. I didn’t need their pity. But if he saw them... well, I already felt the shame from the scars on my legs and he had no idea they were there.

What would he think if he saw them? Would he pity me? Be disgusted by me? Would he think I was weak?

I wasn’t fucking weak.

People didn’t understand the strength it took, the fortitude to slice open your own skin. It took guts to make yourself bleed.

You’re justifying!

Of course, I was fucking justifying. If I didn’t justify my actions, I would have to admit to the real reason I was doing it.

And I wasn’t ready to do that. Not without Thorne.

“Rose.”

I felt his breath on the back of my neck. When did he get that close? How did I not hear him approach?

Because you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself.

Well, if I didn’t feel sorry for myself, who would?

I shivered when his hand landed on my shoulder. I hugged myself to keep me from turning around and throwing my arms around him.

What the hell was going on with me? Why did he unsettle me so much? How did he get behind the wall of fake happiness I showed everyone?

“Rosie,” he whispered.

“Stop,” I implored. “I have to go.”

Once again, I ran from him. I hopped on my bike and fired it up before he could stop me. I tore down the path, ignoringthe branches. For once, I didn’t think about the monsters. Didn’t think about letting them out. About letting the blood run.

Because I had to run.

Had to get away from the man who had somehow seen behind the curtain. What he saw I didn’t know. But he saw something. It felt like he saw something I didn’t even know was there.

That was impossible.

I pulled up in front of my room at the motel and quickly dashed inside. I pulled out my phone and called Val. I had to leave. I didn’t belong here.

“Hi, Kytten.”

“How long do I need to be here?”

“Why, did something happen?”

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t let her hear the tremble in my voice. She would ask questions. Questions I didn’t have answers to.

“No, I just don’t know what I’m doing here. Jane is dead.”