Psycho Love

16

"WAKE UP!"

I jump out of bed, with Zander's knife still in my hand from the night before. My grip on it is so tight that the new cuts on my white knuckles open up and small droplets of blood start to trail down towards my wrist. My body is covered in sweat and my heart is beating in my ears. I raise the knife, flicking the blade out, and point it towards the door.

But no one is there. I twirl my body around so that I'm facing the windows, but the curtains are still drawn and there is no sign of anyone. The room is exactly the same as when I fell asleep. I let out a strained breath and rolled my eyes at the room. "Fucking nightmares," I mumble to the empty guest room in front of me. So much for dreaming of happiness. I press the tension bar in and push the blade back into the handle.
Guess it's time to get up anyway.
After having the best shower of my life, I pull on a pair of black high waisted shorts and my favourite oversized t-shirt. As I pull the shirt my fingers graze the scars on my ribs and a shiver goes through my body. I still can't stand the sight of them. I've read that some people believe that their scars show the struggles they have lived through, and they are proud of them. Mine just remind me of how weak and pathetic I was. They remind me of the worst time of my life.
Not even Trey has seen my scars. The only ones visible to other people are the scars on my wrist from my botched suicide. For someone that loved to see me in pain, HE hated seeing me hurt myself. Pretty ironic if you ask me.
Snap out of it, Em.
I can't let myself dwell on this again. I need to keep my wits about me. With everything going on, I can't afford to fall apart. I can't afford to be weak.
"I am strong. I am safe. I am not afraid."
I stare at my face in the mirror and repeat my mantra over and over again until my voice sounds convincing. This mantra always makes me think about mum. I remember how she used to make me stand in front of the mirror every morning and say those 10 words over and over again. After she died I did it as a tribute to her, but now it has become a source of calm for me.
I walk out of the guest room, putting on my best fake smile and walk into the dining room where I am greeted by Caden, Trey, Tanner and someone I don't know. I can only see his back as he is deep in conversation with Caden.
Trey is staring at the man, completely pissed off, until he sees me. His eyes light up and he rushes over to me, "Em! Are you ok? I heard you scream last night. I came to check but after you didn't let me in, I just left you alone. Was it another dream? Was it a panic attack?" He is talking so fast that my head starts to spin, and I can't get a word in. "I'M FINE!" I exclaim, cutting him off. I let out a small chuckle to let him know that I'm ok, "Mate, you need to chill out a bit. I was just overwhelmed, and it helped to calm me down. You know how I am when I get like that." He nods in understanding and stares at me as if he is worried that if his eyes leave me, I will break into a million pieces. Someone off to my right clears their throat and Trey adjusts his cap awkwardly.
Caden's comes wandering over to us, a mischievous smile spread across his handsome face. My eyes immediately go to his lips as I remember how close they were to mine last night.
"Good morning princess."
"Morning." I give him a small smile. We stare at each other for a few seconds, his bright blue eyes holding me captive. Caden clears his throat and looks over to the small group of people behind him. The mystery man turns around and steps forward to greet me. As he walks toward me, I am shocked by how much he looks like Caden. This man has to be his father. They look almost identical, except this man is wearing an expensive looking, tailored blue suit, which compliments his white hair and stunning blue eyes.
The man stretches out his hand and gives me a big smile. "Ember! It is so good to see you again."
Again? What does he mean again? I don't ever remember meeting this man before. I take his hand, but instead of shaking my hand he covers it with his own, cupping my hand with his. The man lets out a small chuckle as he studies my confused face.
"We met once, when you were very little. I'm not surprised you don't remember. My name is Derek Wright."

WRIGHT!

"As in..." my voice trails off in astonishment and fear. I am standing in front of the leader of the black wolves. this man is one of the most powerful and feared men in the world. I feel my legs start to shake as i stare into his eyes. Trey tenses up beside me and takes a small step back.

"Yes dear. As in Caden's father." He gives me a kind smile and squeezes my hand gently. "Don't be afraid, Ember. I would never harm you. Your father was actually one of my closest friends before he died." My mouth falls open when he mentions my father.

"Mr Wright, if you and my father were such close friends, why don't I remember meeting you?" I ask, finally finding my voice.

"Please dear, call me Derek. As for your father and I that is a long story, how about we talk over some breakfast? You must be starving." He gestures towards the dining table where breakfast already served up. Seeing the food makes my stomach growl. I was so focused Caden's father that I hadn't even noticed the amazing smell coming from the food sitting 3 metres away from me. Everyone makes their way over to the table. Trey rushes forward and pulls a chair out for me. Why is he being so weird? I raise my eyebrows, and he just shrugs in response to my silent question. He sits down in the chair next to me while Caden and Tanner sit across from us. Mr Wright - Derek - sits at the head of the table. Without hesitation I fill my plate with pancakes, bacon and hashbrowns. I may be scared shitless being at the same table the leader of the Black Wolves... but I love food more! 

"Your father and I were best friends in high school," Derek starts, getting straight to the point. "We were inseparable. He was actually a part of our gang for a few years but when he met your mother, he said that he didn't want that life for her. So, he left the Black Wolves."
"Ok so he was a part of it when he was a teenager, but what does any of this have to do with me now?" I interject. 
Derek looks over to Caden, "Not a very patient one, is she?" He laughs. Caden looks surprised for a moment, but covers it with a small chuckle, "No father." 

"When you were about... 3 years old," He continues with his story, "Richard lost his accounting job. He was desperate. So, he came to me and asked if I had any work, and it just so happened that I needed an account to handle the finances for the Black Wolves. His one request was that you didn't find out about his work. He wanted to keep you as far away from this life as possible." 

He pauses to take a sip of his coffee. "Your father was the best accountant in the business. He became a very wanted commodity. So much so, that it became too risky for him to go out without a bodyguard. I assigned one of my best men to watch over him from a distance."

"Randy Bowman." I add. 

An impressed look came over Derek's face. "Yes. it seems as though someone has been doing some digging." I nod my head and he looks down at his coffee solemnly as he resumes his story, "Richard was a very... stubborn man. He believed that keeping you in the dark was the best course of action, even when you got older. One night, our compound was attacked, and Randy had to be called for reinforcements. Your father insisted that he would be fine for one night." He shakes his head. "That was the night your parents were killed." 

The taste of blood fills my mouth as I bite my tongue, desperately trying to keep the tears from coming. Trey places his hand on my exposed thigh, and I shove it off. I don't want anyone to touch me right now. Realisation hits me like a gut punch as I process what Derek just said. 

It wasn't just some freak home invasion. "It was planned." I say aloud. "Do you know who it was?" I try my hardest to keep my voice even. My hand goes up to my pendant and I rub the small oval shape between my fingers so hard that they begin to ache. 

Derek shakes his head, causing some of his silver hair to fall onto his forehead. "I could never find out who killed your parents. But believe me, I spent years searching for the bastard. All I know is that he worked for the gang that attacked us. Blood Love."