One Rule

Chapter 38

Later that afternoon, I woke up when someone knocked on my bedroom door. "What?" I mumbled, looking around.

"Hey, it's just me," Lyla said, stepping into the room. "I came by last night, but you were gone. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and didn't need anything." I was surprised to see her, considering she hadn't spoken to me in a couple weeks.

"I was with Ope. Went to the cabin to check on Piney. Ope still here?" I asked, using barely coherent words.

"He left a few minutes ago. He wanted me to tell you that they're cremating Piney after six tonight," she said, sitting on the corner of the bed. "What happened to him?"

"Piney? He was murdered," I yawned. "What time is it?"

"Are you serious?" Lyla asked.

"Gunshot wound. He'd been dead for days by the time we got there. What time is it?" I repeated.

"Um, quarter to five."

"Shit. I need to shower and get over there," I said, throwing back the covers.

"I'll drive you when you're ready," Lyla replied.

"Thank you."

I got in the shower and let the boiling hot water run over my head. I closed my eyes and just stood there, imagining that I wasn't alone. I could almost feel Kozik's arms around me, and I lost track of time. The water got cold, and snapped me back to reality. I finished up quickly and got out. I threw my hair up in a wet bun, and got dressed. We got to the crematorium just after six. I knocked on the door and Skeeter let me in. He led me back to the oven where he'd already started burning Piney. Opie was there already.

"Hey," I said quietly.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Like crap. You?"

"Same." We each put an arm around each other, and watched the flames. I leaned my head against his arm as I started to cry silently.

The door opened and I jumped. It was just Wayne. "Sorry," he said.

"It's okay. I'm just jumpy."

"Thanks for arranging this," Opie said.

"No problem." He turned and left.

Jax joined us shortly after. Opie took his arm from around me and stepped over to hug Jax. "Thanks for coming. He'd want you here."

"What happened?" Jax asked.

Opie just shook his head, "Found him at the cabin, shotgun to the chest."

"Do you think it was the cartel?"

"I'll fill you in later."

Jax turned to me, and gingerly moved to hug me. This time I let him. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm so tired," I replied, tears staining his shirt.

"I'm so sorry."

Jax stepped back, but left an arm around me. Opie wrapped an arm around me too, and I stood in between my brothers, just feeling miserable. We stayed there for a long time, until the majority of Piney's remains were burned up.

When we finally stepped outside, it was dark. Wayne was waiting with Skeeter. There was a small white box in his hands. "Diana, wait," Skeeter called.

"What?" I asked.

"The guys dropped off what was left of your husband's remains. I burned them today. Here are the ashes," he said, holding the box out to me.

"Thanks." My hands were shaking as I held the box against my body. Now that I was seeing it up close, I saw the label with his name across the top of the sealed box.