Page 75 of Depraved

I pulled my fingers through my hair. “I don’t want to be someone’s ticket toward redemption.”

“Well, the way I see it, you don’t really have a choice in the matter.”

Surprised, I glanced at her, and she gave me a warm smile. “The truth sucks. Deal with it. It’s harsh, but necessary.” It was amazing how Neon could be straight with her no-bullshit answers, yet she had a way of not making it sound depressing and hurtful.

Neon pushed herself up and extended a hand. “You can’t ask for a better protector than Granite. Be thankful you have him on your side, whether you’re a redemption card or not.”

I placed my hand in hers, and she helped me up off the floor.

Neon was right. No matter what Granite’s motivation was, I was here, and I didn’t have any choice in the matter. What was done was done. And after what happened between Granite and me, there was no going back.

Neon stepped closer and placed her palms on my cheeks. “I have a good feeling about you, Swan Lake. You’re strong. And that’s all you need around here. Strength.”

I smiled half-heartedly. “I hope you’re right.”

“Of course, I’m right.” She inched back. “Listen, I don’t have anything for you to wear. Granite said we’re leaving in an hour, so I’m going to rush to the nearest shop and see if I can find you something in the kiddies’ section.”

“Would you stop?”

She winked teasingly. “Hey, I intend to use every opportunity I can to make fun of your bony ass.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t doubt that for a second. Hey, where are we going?”

“Granite insisted that we take you to a safe house.”

“Why?”

“How the fuck should I know? I just live here, remember? There’s a shirt and pair of shorts for you, you know, in case anyone else decides to barge in here. Can’t leave you here wearing nothing but a sheet. I’ll be back soon.” Blowing a kiss my way, she closed the door as she left. Somehow, I felt like Neon and I might become friends. God knew, I was going to need a friend around here. And she hadn’t been anything but kind to me.

The bowl of cereal taunted me from across the room, and Onyx’s words played on repeat inside my head. Someone they both loved died from not eating. It all made sense now, why everyone was so fucking obsessed with me eating. But was that all I was to Granite? A cruel reminder of someone he lost, hoping he might be able to live down the regret he felt?

Better yet…why did it fucking matter to me what I was to him?

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

GRANITE

Something wasn’t right. I could smell it in the air as we stood outside the garage. Warning crawled all over my skin, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it just didn’t feel right. The last time warning knocked on my skull like this was the night my dad died.

“Yo,” I turned to Ink, who was packing out the ammo, “Neon back yet?’

“No. Don’t think so.

“When did she leave?”

He glanced at his wristwatch. “About forty minutes ago.”

I looked over at the empty space where her motorcycle would stand. She didn’t ride a Harley like the rest of us. She had a pitch-black Ducati Monster. She called a Harley “the old fucker’s ride to hell.”

“Call her. See where she’s at.” I lit a cigarette. If it wasn’t for the run, I’d have a fucking beer right now.

Dutch stepped in next to me. “We should get the girl in the van.”

With a simple nod, I gave him instruction to go get Alyx. These wheels were rolling on the fucking hour, whether Neon was here or not.

As Dutch rushed off to get Alyx, Ink came back looking as pale as a fucking ghost, and I knew. I fucking knew this was why my motherfucking skin crawled with warning.

“What’s going on?”