Page 162 of Severed Heart

“No, I fucking don’t and never will because of this fucking situation right here. This shit always gets messy. But they didn’t do this to hurt you, and I’m positive you fucking saw that last night in their faces as I have formonths! Drunk or not, I know yousawit, and I’m willing to betmy own inkit’s why you let them keep theirs ... Jesus, I’m sorry, and I’m sorry I covered for them, but I would do the fucking same for you if the circumstances were reversed.”

“No secrets between us, your words,your fucking oath to me!” Ezekiel roars.

“That’s right,my oath, not theirs. This is different, T. They didn’t expect to fall in love with her.”

“And because you’re just as fucked in the head, that makes it okay?”

“Being in love or caring for someone is not being fucked in the head, you blind fucking bastard, but I’m done throwing pearls in front of swine today. I’m done talkingat youanother fucking minute. Come find me when your anger isn’t the sole basis for your judgment, and you’ve reached a place where you can speak like a reasonable adult.”

“Who do the fuck do you think you are talking to me like this? You forget your place.”

“My place?!” Tyler roars. “My fucking place is whatever and wherever I want it to be, you arrogant fuck, and by choice! We might have decided together there is a pecking order, but it’s always been our decision to honor it. We aren’t fucking bound to you by anything else but loyalty. And you might want to remember that when andiftheywillinglyget on that fucking plane as ordered ... and you know what, asshole? While you’re at it—and since you deem us all unfit to handle your club—deal with ityourselffor a while, and let’s see how you fucking fare without our help!”

“Fine with me, motherfucker!” Ezekiel snaps before they both explode in more heated back-and-forth. Filled to the brim with anxiety, when I lift an old sheet set, I come across a box. The sight of it has every hair on my body standing on end before I’m pulled straight under.

“—what are these?”

“—you found—”

An image of Alain standing next to the kitchen table, eyes littered with rage, fills my vision as mixed voices continually surround me.

“—don’t worry, I got them cheap.”

“—when I find you, I will fucking kill you!”

“Delphine,” Tyler whispers as I come to, seeing that he’s on his knees in front of me in the closet. Ezekiel stands behind him, peering at me where I’m cowering, with my hands covering my chest and head as Tyler frantically scans my face.

“What is it?” Tyler asks, scouring the closet before gently palming and lowering the protective hands I have lifted. “Please,” Tyler prods, “please talk to me.”

I blink several times before I finally croak. “What happened?”

“You started screaming,” Ezekiel rasps out behind him, his admission haunted, as are both their expressions.

“I want to go,” I whisper low, “I wantnothing here. Soldier, please get me out of here,” I whimper before a fear-filled cry bursts out of me. For the first time in a decade or more, I crack in front of Ezekiel, who gapes at my outburst as Tyler clutches me to him, holding me for several seconds to his chest.

“Jesus Christ, you’re shaking so badly,” Tyler whispers. “I’ve got you, let’s go.”

Tyler sweeps me to my feet before we walk past Ezekiel, who carefully trails the two of us, watching our every move. Tyler guides me down the hall, stopping at the end of it before glancing back at my baffled nephew.

“Like I said, brother. You have no fucking idea what’s been happening here, and if you want to talk, we can have a conversation later.”

Ezekiel ignores him completely, his eyes bolted to me.

“Tatie...are you okay?” His confusion tugs my heart as he tries to understand what just happened while I grapple with the emotions pummeling me. Normally, I would retreat, isolate, and sip to numb, to stifle it. To protect him from seeing me in such a state, but I have no such luxury anymore. The one true price of my sobriety. A price I want to solely pay.

“I will be fine. I just need to get out of this fucking house,” I tell him, and he draws his brows in confusion. “I don’t live here anymore,” I clarify in a rush. “I want to talk to you,” I tell him, “but maybe not today, okay?”

He lingers in my doorway before glancing inside my closet, and I know he’s looking for the source of my distress as I address him.

“Ezekiel,leave it,” I command in a tone he knows well, a firm order. “Close the door ... this ismy messto sort, and I will when I am ready. This is not for you. I have ...”protected you from this for too long.“Close the door.”

He nods, pulling the door closed as I asked, confused by what’s happening as he speaks again. “You don’tlivehere?”

“No. I’ve freed myself of all poisons,” I blow out a breath. “Please be careful to do the same. Anger is a very dangerous poison. I know you are hurt, but please try to remember that with Jean Dominic and Sean.”

“How long have younot livedhere?” he asks, deaf to my reason, the pain leaking from him clear as he stands looking like a man lost. My need to go to him strengthens, but I know I have to gather myself for that.

“That’s what happens when you don’t answer your phone for almost a fucking month,” Tyler snaps.