Real Girl (Aston Creek High 4)

I could crush his leg like he did to Blake, give him that last few minutes of agony before he dies. Maybe I could cut off his penis for all the young women he’s hurt, or maybe I could simply slice my knife along his throat and end it right now.

I know Blake would get a kick out of me crushing his leg, but what do I get? That’s not going to help me heal in any sort of way, it might make me feel better for all of three seconds, but when looking at the big picture, it’s enough just to know he’s gone.

How much of myself do I have to sacrifice for this man?

I won’t do it anymore.

Blake will be okay. I know he declared that he wants revenge but that was just speaking out of anger. He’s not a petty guy like I am. He’s bigger than that. Blake’s head is screwed on correctly and I refuse to bring him down to my level. He might hate that he didn’t get a chance to punish Lucien the way that he saw fit, but he’ll also be able to move on and heal in peace knowing that he’ll never have to look over his shoulder again.

Lucien’s hand falls away from my ankle as his eyes grow heavy. It won’t be long now. Maybe another thirty seconds or so and the bastard will begin his descent into hell.

I rise out of my crouch and take the bottom of my shirt in my hand and begin rubbing my fingerprints off my knife as Slade, Damian, Rivers, and Noah all step in around me. Slade’s hand falls to my waist and he looks down at his father. “I’ll see you in hell,” he mutters just moments before I toss my knife down against Lucien’s chest.

From now on, I don’t need it.

My fight is over.

That knife once used to bring me protection and a link to my father, those traits are gone now and all that’s left is blood. I’ll find another way to connect with my dad.

“Come on,” Slade murmurs. “The police are on their way.”

I nod, listening out and sure enough, the sirens are heard in the distance. Slade’s hand finds mine and as we go to step away, I watch as Lucien takes his final breath, ending it once and for all.

My eyes close as Slade pulls me away with the boys at my back. The closure tears through my body like a drug and for the first time in thirteen years I finally feel free.

My head falls upon Slade’s chest as we walk straight out the front gate. “It’s over,” I murmur. “It’s finally over.”

Slade presses a soft kiss to my forehead as the boys walk silently behind us. “It is,” he promises, holding me tighter as his words swell within my chest, lighting me up and filling me with joy. “Now let me take you home where you belong.”

I’ve never heard sweeter words.

Chapter 20

I grab hold of the door handle and gently push it open. “Oh,” Blake’s cheerful voice rumbles from inside the hospital room. “So, you were serious about that sponge bath.”

Eww. Gross.

I choke back vomit and throw the door the rest of the way. “Are you fucking kidding me? Is that what you’ve been up to since I’ve been away?”

“SKYLAH!” His eyes bug out of his head as he tries to scramble out of his bed but fails as his broken, heavy leg keeps him glued to the bed. “Get your stupid ass over here.”

I laugh as I bound toward my baby brother and throw my arms around him. He holds me tight, his head smooshed into my hair. “Fuck, you smell like a bonfire!” he says, trying to aim his face away from my body. “I missed you. How could you be so stupid?”

“Me stupid?” I demand. “Are you not the idiot who gave Slade the address?”

“I’m not apologizing for that. I’d rather have you than him,” he says, glancing up over my shoulder and looking at Slade. “No offense.”

“None taken,” comes rumbling from the door.

I try my best to ignore Blake’s comments and focus on the fact that I have him in my arms. I really did miss this little turd. Emotions start to well up inside me and before I know it, Blake is desperately trying to push me away. “Eww, are you crying on me?”

“Shut up and hug me, dipshit.”

Blake groans but I know he secretly loves it. He’d never actually admit it though, but because today is special and I’m finally free, he’ll let me do whatever the hell I want.

When I finally pull back, I look down at Blake’s leg. “How are you feeling? Has there been much progress in the last two weeks?”

Blake gapes at me as though I just asked him to lick Damian’s asshole. “Are you kidding?”