Reign of Brayshaw (Brayshaw High 3)

I nod, looking to him. “I ruined your family, not you.”

He shakes his head, eyes intent. “No.”

“You sound so sure.”

“Because I am. You’re strong.”

“Look at me.” I flop my hands out. “Do I look strong to you?”

“Considering, yes. You do.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re so far out of the loop right now, Rols, you have no idea.”

His lip tips and a sad laugh leaves him. “Man, haven’t heard you call me that in a long time, black bird.”

I scoff a laugh, looking away. I run my hands over my hair, letting them fall to my lap. “Things can’t go on like they have been here. These people, they’re here for a reason. The families in this town, the kids at the school, they want the future this place promises. The best of both worlds.”

He nods, looking to the door and back. “It really is, the grit and the glamour. Balls at seven, brawls at eleven,” he jokes, earning a small laugh from me, but it dies quick.

“I could do without the balls you speak of,” I tease, making him laugh.

“But for real, though, they deserve it.” My eyes slide between his. “I know nothing other than no one should fear without reason and no one should hurt without fault.”

“I’m with you, Raven. Whatever you need, whatever you wish for. If you let me.” He holds my eyes. “I will stand with you.”

I wipe my face, looking away, thinking a moment before asking. “Do the families meet regularly?”

“Once a month, unless we call for something sooner,” he tells me. “I can have them here by end of day if need be.”

“No,” I say. “I want to catch everyone off guard.”

“Then it’ll be six days from now.”

I nod. “Call that designer chick back.” I look to him. “The one redoing the room across from Captain’s for Zoey. Have her come, today. Now. Whatever they talked about, her and Cap, tell her to make it happen and more.”

He jerks his head. “Done.”

“And uh.” I lick my lips, biting into my bottom one before letting it free. I push to my feet, staring down at him. “I’m gonna need a nursery. I’ll pay for it, but I don’t know what, um...”

His face falls, his eyes softening as he pushes to his feet before me. He reaches out, ready to grip my hand but decides against it. “We’ll make sure to get everything you’ll need.” He swallows, hesitating. “When should I be sure it’s ready by?”

“Go, Rolland,” I whisper.

He nods and moves for the door, but pauses when I say, “Purple.”

Confused, he looks to me.

“For Zoey.” I think back to her basketball and the playhouse, the flowers lining the entry. “I think it’s her favorite color.”

He nods, pushing the door open but I hold him back once more.

“Why did they let you come in here?”

He considers what to share a moment before he sighs. “Maddoc didn’t look so hot when he came out, stormed off. They followed, but Victoria locked herself in the elevator shaft with him.”

My features drop. “What?”

“I imagine they’re trying to get it moving.” He shrugs. “Nothing they’ll be able to do until the flip is switched from the inside.”

I turn away, biting on the edge of the cotton cuffs of the sweatshirt. Even if Bass told them everything, like I asked him to, he couldn’t have added in the final piece.

The potential silver bullet, but we’re too far gone for new weapons.

Kings have been named, kingdoms set.

But it all comes down to the power of the queen, doesn’t it?

What about the power of two?I’m at a fucking loss.

No clue what to think. No clue what to believe or what move is right if a right move exists at all. I’m fucked in my head and see no way out. It’s been three days of silence from everyone all around. Nobody speaks to one another. The only words shared are when someone announces they’re going for a walk or stepping out for a call or some bullshit like that.

I came outside today as soon as I heard Raven puking in the bathroom in the hall. Now, hours have passed, another sun gone, and I’m still sitting here alone against a tree at the edge of the hospital, away from all the windows.

Away from her.

Of course, the second I fucking think it, Bass Bishop drops down beside me, resting his arms on his knees as he lights a cigarette.

I glare at his profile a minute before saying what I should have the second he told me all he’s done for her. “Thank you.”

He takes his time, pulling in a long drag before blowing it out, then slowly slides his eyes my way. “For what, man? Letting your brother get shot, twice? For letting a gun get shoved in Raven’s face, forcing her to kill her own mom when one, I should have been there to prevent all of it, or two, been there soon enough to be the one who drove that knife through Ravina’s side so Raven didn’t have to?”