Page 302 of Power Play

“I know it does.”

“No, you don’t.” The words came out broken and sharper than I intended. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean that. I know you understand this feeling, but he took the key, Aye.”

Her hand stopped between my shoulder blades.

“He took it off my ring.” I opened my fist enough for her to see the red marks crossing my palm and the bare metal loop where Ryan’s key used to hang. “He wouldn’t let me touch him. I tried to hold his arm, and he ripped it away from me. He told me not to touch him.”

Easton stopped pacing as Aura took my hand and carefully pulled my fingers away from the keys.

“Put those down before you cut yourself.”

I let her place them on the table, but the word cut sent Ryan’s face through my mind again. I saw the emptiness inside his eyes and heard the voice he had never used with me before tonight. Ryan hadn’t needed a blade. He had taken every tender thing he’d ever given me and severed it with his mouth.

His Spanish returned in the silence words he knew I couldn’t understand, but only a few. “He said I killed him.”

Easton looked away.

“I didn’t mean to.”

Aura’s arm tightened around me. “I know you didn’t.”

“I didn’t know what to do in that study.”

“You should’ve said something.”

“I know.”

“I’m not saying that to hurt you.”

“It doesn’t matter.” My fingernails scraped across my knees. “Nothing anyone says can hurt more than what he said to me.”

Easton gave me a hard look. “Don’t be so sure about that.”

“Easton,” Aura warned.

“What?” He dragged both hands over his face before resuming his pacing. “I’m trying, babe. I’m trying real fucking hard to remember she’s your best friend and she’s sitting here wrecked, but Ryan just told every one of us he’s leaving Kimball Falls like the last six months meant nothing.”

“They didn’t mean nothing.”

“I know that,” he said, turning toward me. “That’s why I’m pissed.”

Headlights swept across the living room wall. A car door slammed outside, followed by another and the heavy rhythm of several people climbing the stairs.

Aura stood before the knock came, and the door barely opened before Bliss rushed through it.

Her gaze found me on the couch, and something inside her face broke. She crossed the room so quickly that Cade had to catch the door behind her. Briggs followed him inside, ducking slightly beneath the frame, but I only saw them for a second before Bliss dropped beside me and wrapped both arms around my shoulders.

“What have you done, Charm?”

The question was whispered against my hair.

I collapsed into her. “I know I’m awful.”

My hands caught in the back of her coat while my entire body shook.

“I know, B. I didn’t mean it. I swear I didn’t mean it.”

“I know, babe.” Bliss cupped the back of my head and held me against her. “I know.”