AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I broke as she walked me over to her car. Brick and Morgan stood next to it, and both looked at us in sympathy, but didn’t say anything. I buried my face in my best friend’s shoulder and sobbed my heart out as we drove.
“Let it all out,” Minnie rocked me, her own voice full of tears. “We’re going back to my place, and you can talk then.”
Once we were there and I had a chance to splash water on my swollen face, I pulled myself together and joined my friends. I did my best to fill them in on what I knew. It was the hardest night I’d ever had.
Trigger rubbed his face after I finished talking but showed no emotion. I knew these men had been through their own pain over the years and had a lot of practice on masking their feelings. “Jesse said something about how you might have recognized that odd drawing on Leo’s arm.”
“Yes, I think so.”
“From where?”
Minnie threaded her hand through mine and tried her best to comfort me. I loved her for it. Tess sat on my other side. I appreciated the buffer she presented between me and her husband. Trigger was big and scary, and in that moment, his anger made him even more so.
“The night that, I—” I choked on my words and tried again. “The night of the Matt Myers mishap,” I choose my words carefully, “I was followed to Secrets by one of his men, the one Grim dealt with. When he lifted his arm, I saw a tattoo on the inside of it, up here.” I pointed to the spot high above my bicep. “I only picked up on it because Sasha had one kind of like it. Well, like one part of it is the same, anyway. The other part is kinda different.” I tried to picture it in my head. “I don’t know,” I sighed and felt stupid. “Maybe it’s some kind of club thing, or maybe it’s from a movie likeFight Club,with my luck lately.” I huffed.
“It’s okay, Ken,” Tess said. “It’s a start, right?” She looked at Trigger.
“She’s right.” Trigger nodded. “Show me what part you remember they both had.”
I used my finger and drew in edit mode on my phone to outline what I remembered.
“It was sort of like this. It’s the part I remember on the guy and on Sasha.” I held the sketch out to Trigger, and he sent the marked photo to his phone.
“Minnie,” I sniffed, “when your guys dumped that piece of shit Myers, anyone catch any tattoos?”
“There was one that was mentioned but not like that. I’ll ask again.” She pulled out her phone and started to text.
Brick finally spoke up from the back of the room. “How’s Grim? I mean, all things considered.”
“Scary dark.” I shook my head slowly and closed my eyes. “How ugly is this going to get?”
Everyone went quiet.
* * *
I stayed awayfrom people as much as I could. I made up what I hoped was a good story for why I probably seemed off. Yen Hong sat across the table and kindly chatted about his latest venture. He filled in the silence as he sensed I needed to be still. I sat, overwhelmed with grief. Leo had been a good friend, and during our trip he’d had so much fun. His lifeless body that spoke of torture and cruelty played out in my head over and over. His beautiful soul robbed for some godforsaken reason. I tried not to think how the aftermath was nearly as chilling.
“I’m sorry, Kenna.” Yen pulled my attention, and I tried to recall his last few words. “I’m sorry for whatever is bothering you so.” He gave me a sad smile. “I know what you told me, but I sense it goes much deeper than that.”
“It’s…” I was too tired for words.
“It’s okay,” he leaned forward and rested his warm hand on mine for comfort, “I won’t pry, but know I am here if you need anything or even if you just need a good cry. It worries me to see your eyes so dim.”
“Thank you, Yen. I may take you up on that when I can.”
“I hope you do.” He stood. “And not to seem insensitive, but I have a meeting in ten.”
“No, please go. I’m terribly sorry. I’ll be fine.” I smiled and watched him leave. I had to pull myself together. I had clients to deal with who were not as understanding and needed more from me. Then once again I felt the panic grow. I needed to get out of there.
I found my way to the rooftop bar, a place that had brought me such happiness just a short time before. I liked it there; not many people were able to pass security to enjoy the area. It kept it private, and I felt secure. I briefly wondered where Jesse’s two guys were and glanced around. I didn’t spot them.
“Another,” I held up my glass, now drained of wine, as the bartender came close. “Please,” I quickly added with what I hoped was a warm smile. The staff were like family, and I’d never be rude.
“Heads up, hun.” He looked over my shoulder as he poured. I couldn’t bear to know who was next to make my day worse.
“Please just go away,” I whispered.
“I just wanted to check in on you.” My father peered down at my glass of wine and ordered the same for himself.
