Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

25. Kenna

Chapter Twenty-Five

KENNA

Wiping the steam from the mirror, smokey eyes peer at me through the glass. Soaked blonde hair drips down my bare skin sending a chill through my bones. Her cheekbones are prominent and sharper than I remember. The blue and black circles under her eyes seem to be fading which could be from the ten hours of sleep.

You just left him there with the snakes.

The voice in the back of my head reminds me that I’m alone. Reminding me that I abandoned the only hope I have of getting real answers.

Where is your father?

She’s fucking taunting me. Perched on her high horse looking down at the broken little princess she sneers as she ridicules me.

I’m you. So, really who’s to blame here?

If I can prove my father’s innocence…. I trail off because how can I do that when I can’t even figure out who to trust.

Nothing but a scared little girl.

“Enough!” I scream, my fist smashes into the mirror shattering the glass into ragged cracks.

Blood rolls down a shard of glass, my eyes follow the stream, watching it drip from the wooden frame. The bright crimson stream distracts me from the sudden sharp pain radiating from my knuckles shooting its way down my arm. Anger takes the place of the ache fueling my movements. Jerking my hand away from the broken mirror my grey eyes take in my reflection. Cracks and jagged lines shoot in different directions distorting the image in front of me. Nodding my head at the broken woman in the glass my throat bobs when I swallow down my emotions.

Running my fingers through my wet hair they thread three sections together making one long braid that I leave hanging over my shoulder the tip of the braid resting against my bare ribcage. Looking away from the smokey grey eyes, I storm through into the hall shoving my door open. Blowing out a breath through my nose, I don’t let myself look around the messy room instead I walk straight to my closet and shove the door into the wall. There’s a subtle tremble in my hands that I decide to ignore choosing to snatch a black tank top from a hanger and a sports bra from the hook on the back side of the closet door. Pulling on both, I manage to get fully dressed in seconds, adding skin tight leggings with lace ends where they meet my ankle. The shirt hangs loose on me but it works and that’s all that matters.

Blood falls onto the carpet from my still open wound.

“Shit.” I groan when I realize there’s nothing here to wrap it.

An idea pops into my head and suddenly I’m dropping to my knees, reaching under the bed, my fingers feel for a pair of all white Nike shoes. My gaze drifts to the small red circle on the cream carpet watching as each fiber of the carpet drinks in my blood. Pushing off the floor with one hand I use the other to pull up my shoes. Propping my ass against the bed my legs shake slightly as I balance against the bed to slide my shoes on. Heading towards the door I head to the only place I can think of where no one would look for me.

The fucking man has to live on the top floor. Rolling my eyes, my chest rises and falls faster, my calves burning from the workout. Listing off the names in my head I drill them into my memory so I don't forget who I can’t trust. Starting with the brothers and ending with Ally. Each person on my ever growing list makes my heart twist with the knowledge that for most of my life I’ve been a fucking pawn. What doesn’t make sense is why my father is sitting in prison for something he didn’t do if he knows more than he claims. Why would he allow himself to be held in that hellhole unless he had his own reasons? Then another thought hit me. Why would the Stone brothers sell me to Hank for cash when they have more money than God?

Climbing the last flight of stairs my mind is all over the place by the time I reach his door. Lifting my hand to knock, I drop it to my side. Turning away, I hesitate for a second. Rolling my neck I pace back and forth trying to run through my options before deciding this is the best I’ve got. Using my foot I kick his door and slip my hands behind my back. A voice calls out to tell me to hold on, the sound of footsteps follow, and finally the door swings open.

Those milky eyes lighten at the sight of me at his door and I can’t help the annoyed grin that wants to follow. Lifting my hand from behind my back I let out a shaky laugh flashing him the split flesh across my knuckles.

“I figured you’d have something to wrap my hand.” I state.

He is on the football team after all. They get hurt all the time and let’s not pretend that I haven’t seen him with a busted lip a time or two from the Basement. Yeah, even the preps and jocks go to let off some steam by getting their pound of flesh. A wide tooth smile breaks out and a warm feeling sneaks into my veins.

Shoving it away I step forward and lift my head, “You said if I needed anything.” I remind him.

Leaning back he steps to the side and holds out his arm in welcome, “Come in, Kens.” He says.

Romero’s dorm is simple. It’s an open concept like mine but instead of making it full with things that fill a home his is bare of anything other than the essential. Typical man cave with video games, sports gear, and junk food wrappers on the table. It’s cleaner than I thought it would be and that takes me by surprise that I would even notice something as trivial as a clean house. A low laugh slips from me when I realize that I’m thinking about sports and junk food instead of the fact that I was sold and.. Stopping that next thought, my steps pause at the back of his dark brown leather couch.

“Go ahead and have a seat. I’ll be right back with what we need.” Romero says.

Doing as he says my ass sinks into the soft cushion pulling a sigh from my lips. I don’t have long to look around before he’s walking around the corner with several things in his arms. Dropping them on the coffee table he sits beside me. He reaches out to grab my wrist making me jerk my hand away. The reaction is sudden and unexpected, taking us both by surprise.

“Easy.” He says, lifting his hands. “You wanted me to clean you up and that’s all I’m doing.” He reassures me. “I promise.” His words are soft this time.

Nodding my head I slide my hand into his and let him get to work. Using this time to my advantage I decide to get as much information as I can from someone who isn’t involved.

“Romero.” His name rolls off my tongue.

He hums in response,

“I need to know what’s happened in the last few weeks.” I probe.

His soft eyes peer up at me from what he’s doing, “I don’t know where to begin.” He huffs out a dry laugh.

Biting my bottom lip I search for the right question, “Where isAlly?” I ask. I saw the photos so I feel like this answer is obvious but I need to know if Hank was right.

His head tilts but he goes back to cleaning the cuts, “She’s been locked away at the Stones apartment the last time I heard. Not for a lack of trying to get the hell out of there from the look plastered across her face every time she’s at school.” He snips. His tone is almost protective.

So Ally has been living with them but she’s not happy like the photos showed. A face pops into my head and I fucking hate myself for even bringing it up but the question pours from my mouth anyway. “And the woman with Oakley?” I ask.

Sure, I avoided what I really wanted to know. Avoided saying the name that brings nothing but horror into my bones.

His thick brows dip over his eyes, “That’s the blue haired girl, right?”

I nod.

“Look, I don’t know much about them other than the blue one is a little off her rocker if you know what I mean.” He lets out a chuckle. “The others don’t come around much. Hell the brothers haven’t been in classes since everything went down.”

“What have they been doing?” I rush out.

He finishes wrapping the white ace band clipping it to my palm once he’s done. Tapping my knee he motions for me to flex my fingers making sure it’s not too tight.

“I’m not in their circle. I don’t run those types of scenes, Kens. You know they don’t trust anyone and now I see why. This shit has been crazy for everyone. The school board is on edge because West has completely dropped from the team. Cole is fucking dead and yet they seem to continue on as if he never lived. Now they have G and his boys scouring the streets for any sign of you. They even-” He pauses.

“They what?” I urge.

Looking up at me his eyes meet mine, “They brought in outsiders. Word has it they dragged one of the founders and Ally into the woods and forced her to kill him. Del Mar has been under the thumb of Ry-” He skips over his name, “his thumb. At his mercy and Kens,” he squeezes my knee, “He has shown no mercy when it came to finding you.”

I can hear his words but none of them connect. Confusion and smoky illusions collide in a bloodbath we were bound to be. Panic creeps into my blood turning it into ice. Warm hands cup my cheeks.

“Breathe Kenna.” He begs.

He begged me not to leave them. He begged me to live for them. Green eyes held me and cried for me to stay with them.

“Kenna.” Harsh hands shake me.

Fingers snap in front of my face bringing me back into Romeros dorm room. Worried chocolate eyes assess me before leaning back.

“I think I should call one of the brothers.” He says under his breath.

“No!” I shout. Jumping to a stand my leg bumps into his, knocking me off balance.

Standing, Romero’s chest is only inches from me and the short distance sets my skin on fire. The need to run away from his contact looms over me. He can see the shift in my stance and he backs away.

“Kenna.” He begs.

Shaking my head frantically, words start to spill from my lips. “No! If it’ll make you feel better there is someone you can call for me.”

Raising his eyebrows he waits for me to give him the name and number. Pulling out his phone he hands it over and I dial the only person I feel like I can depend on even if all I get is more questions. Handing the phone back to Romero he hits the button to start the call and presses the cell to his ear. Walking to the door I look over my shoulder when Romero goes to stop me.

“I need you to give him a message for me.” I say over my shoulder. “Tell him to meet me in the garden. Oh, and ask him to bring me two things.”

After he has my demands I walk out of his room turning my back on an unlikely ally. With my hand wrapped I head to the one place that will clear my head. Romero left me with more questions and mixed feelings than answers. Shutting the door behind me I leave the dorms and walk across campus ignoring the wide eyed looks I get along the way. Will they call and rat me out? Of course. I expect nothing less. Will I run and hide? Not again. I’m a fucking Kingston and it’s about time I reminded myself of that.