“Kate died because of those fucking things, and you’re using them.”
Glancing up, he saw the accusation in her eyes. It was all too much for him.
“You don’t know me, and you’re not the boss of me.”
“Drugs killed Kate. I’m not watching you do the same.” She walked past him, opening up the front door. “Get the fuck out. I’m not getting involved with you.”
“We’re friends.”
“You’ve done fine without me these last few months. I’m sure you can deal with this crap without me.”
Nash stared at the open door. Her eyes were downcast.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” She looked up finally meeting his eyes.
“You were so sweet and charming.”
The tears she’d wiped away began falling once again. “You really don’t know me at all.”
He frowned, getting closer. “Sophia, please.”
“No. I don’t want any part in this at all. We’re done.”
She shoved him out of the door and slammed it closed. He heard the lock turning.
“Sophia, open up,” he said. Nash waited for her to say something.
Nothing happened. Slamming his fist against the door, Nash stormed off. He didn’t need Sophia, bitch that she was, or his brother the meddling bastard. He didn’t need any of them.
Running downstairs, he left the apartment block and climbed onto his bike. He needed a score, and he knew just where to get one. For those few seconds the club, his brother, and even Sophia meant nothing to him.
Gunning his machine, he travelled into the next town going to the worst part of it. Climbing the stairs of the rundown building, he noted the whores and addicts decorating the stairwell. Ignoring them all and the voice in his head telling him to get away, he slammed open the door.
The guy he’d beaten up the other week was sat at the table weighing everything out.
“I want my stuff,” Nash said.
“I’ve been told not to give to you.”
Pulling out his weapon, Nash showed off his gun. “Give me my stuff, or I’ll shoot your balls off. Your choice.” He was done playing games. Nash needed to lose himself before the reality of everything came crashing down all around him.
****
Letting out a breath, Sophia slipped onto the floor waiting for him to leave. When he thumped the door, she jumped but didn’t do anything. The sound of his feet down the stairwell made her relax.
“Breathe, Sophia, breathe,” she said.
There was nothing else she could do to help Nash. Kate had been high on the drugs toward the later stage of her life, and she wasn’t dealing with more drugs.
Turning her gaze toward one of the few photographs she owned of the two of them together, she saw Kate smiling back at her. The Skulls had been amazing when she died. She imagined it was down to Nash, getting the funeral paid for when he didn’t have to.
She was broke and wouldn’t have given a great service at all. Throughout it all, Nash had been there by her side, holding her hand the whole time. He’d been her rock through the worst time in her life, and she’d kicked him to the curb as if he was trash.
Tears filled her eyes once again, threatening to spill over.
Those few weeks she’d felt like a princess in his company. He’d taken care of everything for once. All of her life she’d been the one responsible for everything. If it wasn’t for her, Kate would have made them homeless a time or two. Sophia had gone to college in an attempt to make a better life for the pair of them.
She wondered what Kate would think of her now. Alone, working two jobs, and having kicked out a Skull. Her sister believed in The Skulls and the protection they brought. There was a time when she’d believed in Nash. His taking drugs would start the end of him. Sophia couldn’t watch him destroy his life, not another person she cared about dying through fucking drugs.
Pushing her fringe off her face, Sophia saw it was a little after five. She needed to get dressed and ready for her evening to late night shift at the diner.
Getting up from the floor, she headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower she changed into her waitressing uniform and then added a pair of tights to cover her legs. She didn’t like showing too much skin off.
Picking her bag up, she headed out making sure to lock her apartment door. She walked the distance to the diner, needing the air to clear her muddled thoughts.
He’s not worth it.
No one stopped her to talk or tried to make her feel welcome. Since her sister’s death the treatment of the locals had gotten worse, far worse.
Entering the diner she saw several of The Skulls sat at a table. Murphy was one of the men she recognized. He was looking across the diner, and Sophia saw Tate sat with several girlfriends talking.