My Beautiful Poison (Wicked Poison 1)

Slowly, I pick up the rest of my things, and Larry bends down to help me.

“I don’t know if you remember me…” He holds out his hand for me to shake. I don’t. “Well, Sully speaks highly of you. And those two”—he nods to where they’re going—“have always been nothing but trouble.”

Larry would, at a guess, be my age. His face appears familiar, but it’s been too long and all faces became the same to me.

Except hers.

No, hers stands out like the brightest star in a blue sky.

“You know Sully?” I ask.

He scratches the back of his head. “Yeah, he’s my boyfriend.”

Okay, well, I didn’t expect that. At all. Though, I don’t remember Sully ever being with girls in school either.

“He tried to visit you when you were locked up, but your mother wouldn’t allow it. She controlled who was able to visit you.”

I didn’t know that.

How the hell could I not have known that?

“Anyway, he’s been talking about you.” He turns. “I should go. Nice to see you again, August.”

I call out to him as he gets to the door. “Tell Sully to stop by.”

“He would love that. I’ll be sure to pass on the message.”

When I arrive home, he’s there in an old beat-up car. Sully’s leaning against the door, checking his phone until he notices me. “I was on my way to see Larry when he called. Figured I better not blow my chance, so I came straight over now.”

I nod. Sully follows behind me as we step off to the door of my house.

“You and Larry…” I ask him as we enter and walk through the house to the kitchen.

He looks around nervously. “Yeah, he’s good. Been there for me since I stopped working for Josh, and gave me a place to live.” He shrugs. “I owe him a lot.”

“Good.” I nod, placing the bag on the counter.

“You have blood there.” Sully points to his upper lip, and I wipe at mine. “Josh is using Anderson. It’s what he does… uses people to get what he wants.” He pauses. “And I’ve heard he wants you gone since you won’t go back to working for him.”

“Josh has to realize he can’t get everything he wants.”

“Yes, but try telling him that.” He takes a seat. “Are you doing good? How are you?”

“Why do you care?”

“Your name is on a lot of people’s lips, not just because of who you are, but because you’re with the Harley girl. And not the sister, but the golden child.” I shake my head. “So as your friend, who hasn’t seen you in years, I want to know… how are you?”

“My friend?” I ask.

“Yes, of course, I’m your friend. I asked Noah if I could pick you up the day you were released, but he said it was best he did it to get you settled.”

“He was right.”

“I worry for you,” Sully says. “You’ve always been by yourself, August, so I know you can survive. But sometimes you need a team, people who have your back.”

“And you’re one of that team?”

“I love you, man, and not in a romantic way. That’s reserved for Larry.” He chuckles and so do I. “You are my best friend, so yes… I want to help in any way I can. I’m working a few jobs right now, trying to save up some cash. Do you need work?”

“No.”

He nods. “What are you doing?”

I gesture to the table behind him, his eyes find it, and he gets up to touch the surface.

“You’ve always been gifted. Wow, this is amazing.” His hand smooths along the desk.

“Thanks.”

We continue to talk, and Sully stays for the afternoon, and he only leaves when Rylee turns up. He makes sure he speaks to her, and she laughs at his words.

And when he’s gone, she turns to me and announces, “Josh came to see me today.”

Chapter 27

Rylee

I knew what the look on his face was going to be before I came, before I opened my mouth. I took away his happiness, but he needed to know.

“What did he want?”

“He couldn’t get into the building, so he waited until Shandy and I left for lunch.” His forest-green eyes lock onto mine. “What happened to your lip?” I reach to touch it, but he recoils and takes a step back. “He asked if I could give you a message.”

“And?”

“He said you need to come visit him tonight at the house.” I shrug. “He said you’ll know which house he’s talking about.”

“You should leave,” August says.

“August…” I say his name maybe a little more loudly than I wanted and then reach for him.

“Just fucking go, Rylee,” he snaps.

My hands ball into fists at my sides. The anger pours from me as I glare at him. “No,” I scream. “No! You don’t get to dictate everything in my fucking life. My mother’s done that enough to last me a lifetime. So, no, you don’t get to do it as well. So, August Trouble, stop pushing me away.”