Page 36 of Infernal Secrets

Patricia continued, oblivious to my world falling apart. “They said she died on the way to the hospital. Your uncle had to take time out of work to take care of all the paperwork. We meet with the funeral home later to finalize plans for the viewing and funeral. I expect you to be there, and make sure you wear something proper.”

I slumped against the counter, staring at the few drops of dried wax on the floor missed in last night’s cleanup.

“Oh, and cover those tattoos of yours, too. Our pastor will hold the service, and you know he doesn’t approve. Don’t make your uncle and I look bad. Are you listening?”

“Yes,” I mumbled through my fingers. I was going to be sick.

“It’s a shame there’s nothing left of her estate for you after all the expenses for her care. You didn’t—”

“I need to go. Let me know when to come.” My tone sounded lifeless to my own ears.

The line went dead.

I stood there with my hand over my face, phone still pressed to my ear. Only when a warm hand slipped the phone from my grip did I realize the guys were still in my house.

Ash placed my phone on the counter and took my wrist, lowering my hand from my mouth. “Is Bonnie your grandmother?”

A small whimper escaped my pressed lips. The sound snapped me out of my frozen state, and I shoved past Ash, fleeing toward the safety of my room.

Before I cleared the kitchen, Zeke stepped in front of me. I looked up, and the pity on his face dragged my anger at Patricia to the surface.

“Get out of my way.”

“No.”

“I’m serious. Get the fuck out of my way.”

“No. You’re hurt.”

“I’m mad.”

“But you’re also hurt,” he said, voice soft, like he cared.

My anger wavered and roiled at once. He didn’t know me. He couldn’t care. The creatures of the damned didn’t care.

I glanced over at Ezra and Cyn, who stared at me, saying nothing. The muscles in Cyn’s jaw tensed before he broke eye contact.

I turned back to Zeke, but asked Ash, “How do you know my grandma’s name?”

“Patricia is kind of loud. We heard everything.”

Squeezing my hands into fists, I held Zeke’s gaze. “Please move.”

I couldn’t make him the target of my fury. The memory of his panic-stricken face from earlier forced me to swallow the anger, which only made the restrained sorrow claw up my throat.

“Where are you going?”

“My bedroom.” I winced when my voice cracked with emotion.

“What are you going to do?”

My brows met, mouth parting. “I don’t know. I need to be alone right now.” Huffing, I bit out, “Why do you need to know everything?”

His shoulder hitched in a light shrug. “I don’t like seeing you in pain.”

“You don’t know me.”

“Feels like I do.”