Page 108 of No Strings

I nod.

He runs a hand down the side of his face, “Yeah okay. Ah, Daniela, Paul and Ryland Hughes were found murdered. Zara Stone’s body was also located with them.”

“What? How? What?” I sink into the couch, murder?

He rubs the back of his neck, if I thought he was hesitant earlier I was wrong. “They think Zara committed the murders, and then committed suicide.”

“But it’s Zara, she couldn’t have done this.” I might not have been home for a while, so things might have changed, but Zara adored her family; especially Ryland.

Shane runs his hands over his face again, like he’s trying to process the news himself before replying. “I know. But I told you the corruption, and that fucking cult were getting out of control.”

I know he mentioned it, but honestly I didn’t put much stock into it. How did one small town go from no violence, to murders?

Chapter Thirty-One

MORGAN

It’s the day of the funeral.

I’m here for Paige, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to keep an eye out for Rhys. I thought he would come. Especially because the Hughes family were friends with his Nanna and Grandad.

Every now and then I feel eyes on me, but when I turn around looking for the origin of the eyes, I find myself both relieved and annoyed it’s not Rhys.

Shane and I are sitting behind The Stone’s. Nash got back fast; Last I heard he was overseas somewhere. Playing ball in Maine?

I don’t miss the way Paige is sitting between the brothers. She is holding on to Sawyer, almost as if she lets her go, she’ll never see her again. Levi, ever the stoic man, sits next to his wife and daughter.

Part of me wonders if their dad will make an appearance. For no other reason that he loves to cause drama.

The Priest makes his way to the front, where four coffins are lined up. One of which is too small to bethere.

“Good morning and thank you all for being here today as we come together to honour and celebrate the lives of Paul Hughes, Daniela Hughes, Ryland Hughes and Zara Stone….”

The service continues in the traditional sense; people get up and share their favourite memories.

The town is torn; half believe Zara committed the murder, while the other half. are either on the fence or defending her.

After the service, we follow the Priest and the Stone brothers out to the hearses. A few more words are shared as everyone says their goodbyes.

When I get to Paige, I wrap my arms around her and Sawyer. We don’t share words, because all she needs is for me to squeeze her hand for her to know that all she has to do is call me.

“I’m going to talk to Nash real quick. You good?” Shane asks.

“Yeah, I just want to go past Rhys’s grandparents and say hi.”

His eye twitches, it has done that the last couple weeks whenever I mention Rhys’s name, I’m eyeing him sceptically when he replies, “Ok, I’ll come find you.”

“No, it’s fine, I’ll walk home; you need to find out what the fuck happened.” I tell him.

This ‘Zara killing them’ narrative needs to be put to rest.

“Not with all this bullshit going on.” He raises his voice slightly, people turn to see, but I just smile and nod at them, hoping that’s enough for them to stop staring.

Placing a hand on my brothers forearm, I squeeze it. “Shane I will be fine. Plus, I know how to fight properly now.” I raise my hands and mockpunching him.

“Okay, okay.” He raises his hands in protest while lightly chuckling.

Shane doesn’t live far from the church grounds, so a small walk won’t be too bad. And now that I don’t have look over my shoulder, I actually welcome the walk.