Phantom Rider - The Aftermath | Book 1

Hurt You

Bill's POV 

The drive to Sergei's home felt like an eternity. Once I pulled up to the house, I couldn't force myself to go inside. Instead, I sat in the car, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turned white.

How did everything fall apart so quickly?

I lit a cigarette, my hands shaking, as reality slowly kicked in. Loyalty is everything to her, and I messed up the most crucial thing to make our relationship work. With her best friend.

Eventually, I gathered the courage to get out of the car. Each step toward the house felt like walking on eggshells. Sergei's car was already in the driveway. I hoped he had calmed her down a little by now.

I opened the door quietly, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace. The house was silent, or so I thought at first until I heard muted sobs coming from upstairs. My heart sank at the sound.

"Mila," I whispered as I entered the bedroom. She was curled up on the bed, looking so small and vulnerable. Sergei sat beside her, his hand gently resting on her back.

"I will give you some privacy," Sergei said softly, standing up to give us space.

As he left the room, I knelt by the bed, taking her hand in mine. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"I am so sorry," I started talking, my voice shaking.

She didn't respond, just looked at me with those ocean-blue eyes, searching for something - answers, apologies, explanations? I didn't know if I could give her any of those.

"I never wanted to hurt you," I continued. "Alice..." Mila immediately tensed at hearing her name, and I felt as if I had made yet another mistake. I noted to myself to never say that woman's name out loud again.

"I made a mistake. A terrible, stupid mistake. It meant nothing to me." I tried, I really tried to say something, but every sentence sounded so fucking pathetic.

She closed her eyes, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks. "Bill, I trusted you. I trusted you with everything. How could you?"

Her words cut deep. I wished I could erase the pain in her eyes, but I couldn't.

"I don't know what I was thinking. I was an idiot, a fool. I love you more than anything. Please, believe me." I begged her.

She pulled her hand away, curling into herself even more. "No."

That one word was the longest and most soul-crushing sentence I had ever heard in my life. I became desperate, panicking that this might be the end. A simple "No," and that's it.

"Please, listen to me. Give me a chance to fix this. I will do anything, everything." I begged her.

She looked at me again, still full of hurt. "You need to leave. I need time. Space to think."

I couldn't move. I couldn't think. I tried to touch her, but she pushed me away. My world suddenly crumbled. I have never been rejected like that.

"Okay, I will go. But I will never stop until I fix this. I will fight for your forgiveness until my last breath." I didn't realize at that moment that leaving her there would be my biggest mistake.

I stood up, looking at her one last time before leaving the room. As I closed the door behind me, the silence of the house swallowed my soul.

Sitting in the car's driver seat, I couldn't bring myself to turn the key. Instead, I rested my head on the steering wheel, trying to hold back the tears. I had never felt this vulnerable in my entire life.

So I called Tom. "Brother... I messed up big time."

It went straight to voicemail.

Music blasted from the speakers, and the car smelled like cigarettes. I smoked one cigarette after another. I had to go home, but I kept driving because stopping the car felt like my heart would stop with it.

I stopped my car eventually.

I knew I needed help - someone who could look after her without me disturbing her. I knew what happens when you push people too hard, they eventually pull away. So keeping my distance from her was the best decision I could make, but it didn't mean I would not watch every move she made.

I just needed someone who could help me keep her safe without her knowing, and who could be a better person for that than my own blood and soul - Tom.

My hands were shaking as I called his number again. It rang a few times before he picked up.

"Bill? I got your voicemail, but I was too busy. Is everything good?" Tom's voice was cheerful, a huge contrast to the darkness inside me.

"Tom, I need your help," I said, my voice cracking. "It's serious."

The tone of his voice changed instantly. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not. I messed up, Tom. Big time. Everything's falling apart. I need you to help me. Mila found out about Alice."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. I could hear Tom processing what I'd said. "Okay. I'll help. Tell me what you need."

Relief washed over me. I knew I could count on him. "I just need you to be around, you know? Be there in case she needs anything. Keep her safe."

"Consider it done," Tom said firmly. "I owe you this after you watched over Taylor."

I replied, my voice heavy with guilt. "Thanks. I owe you."

"Don't mention it. You were there for me when I needed you. I'll be there for Mila. Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Yeah, I will," I said, though I wasn't sure how.

I ended the call and sat back, closing my eyes. For a moment, I let the exhaustion wash over me. Then, I started the car and headed to Georg's. I really didn't want to be alone now.

As I entered the house, Georg and Gustav cheerfully invited me in.

Georg patted my shoulder. "We were just playing poker. Let me pour you a glass of whiskey. You can join us, we just started the next round."

"Where's Tom?" I asked.

"He's already negotiating some business," Gustav explained. "He'll be back later."

"What type of business would he be doing in the middle of the night?" I wondered but decided I didn't want to know.

I walked into the house, looked at my friends and several strangers, including a woman, feeling like I was about to make yet another mistake tonight.