Page 56 of The Bitter Words

“Why would she do that?”

“You just said she was goading you on. Maybe she came in here to get a rise out of us. When she saw we were out of it, she probably put it there so you would question it.”

Livianna’s face grows red. “That makes no sense, Callum.”

“Fine. Don’t believe me.” I toss my hands up. “Think what you want, but I’m fucking sick and need to get home.”

“I’m sorry.” Her shoulders fall. “I know you wouldn’t lie to me. She just gets me fired up.”

“Can we drop it? I want out of here.”

“Sure. We can find Bren and get you back to your house.I’ll even tuck you in.” She rises on her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine.

I flinch back and a shiver creeps up my spine. I’m not sure it’s really her. It is, but when I close my eyes, all I see is mangled images of Zara and Livianna blending together.

Her face bunches up. “Wow, you’ve never reacted to me like that before.”

“Fucking hell, Livianna. I’ve been in the bathroom throwing up.”

“I know, love. God, I’m being overly sensitive today. I’m sorry.” She grabs my hand and leads us out of the room of haunted memories.

We work our way through Leon’s house, searching for Bren. The cleaning crew is already here, picking up empty bottles and trash scattered throughout the home. We get to the kitchen and I freeze.

Leon pours himself a cup of coffee. “Good morning, love birds. How did you sleep?”

My breathing shallows. My face heats until it’s white hot.

I wanna kill the motherfucker but can’t move. I’m literally frozen as I stare at him and battle to control the rage building in my core.

Livianna answers Leon by telling him how rested she is. They discuss the evening and have a ridiculously delightful conversation about how great his party was.

All the while, he keeps beaming me knowing smiles like the cat that ate the canary. She tells him we need to leave because I’ve got some kind of stomach bug.

He apologizes for giving us too much Floating V and explains we passed out right after we took it. He laughs it off, saying it happens sometimes and not to worry about it.

Fucking liar.

I hate him with every fiber of my being. I tremble as I try to contain my hostility. He needs to get his ass kicked, but I can’t do that without explaining everything to Livianna.

She’d never understand, much less forgive me. My back’s against the wall and this prick knows he’s got me by the balls.

Livianna glances around the room. “Do you know if my brother is still here? He’s supposed to drive us home.”

“Yeah. I set him up in the guest room on the third level.” Leon tips his chin in that direction. “Livianna, since Cash is ill, why don’t you go get Guns?”

“Good idea.” She strides away. “Which door am I looking for?”

“It’s all the way upstairs on the left side at the end of the hallway.” Leon’s darkened gaze comes to mine. Once she’s out of view, he stalks over to me. “You don’t appear to be doing well, Cash.”

“Fuck off, Leon.”

“No, thanks. I already did that last night. I’ve had more than my fill.” He raises an eyebrow. “But if you need more, that can be arranged.”

My stomach roils. “The second I leave here?—”

“What? You think you’re going to run and tell the world you fucked Zara against your will?” He releases a wicked guffaw. “How does it feel, Cash?”

“What?”