Heartless (Steel Demons MC #6) - Crystal Ash Page 0,103

everything. I didn’t know this man standing in front of me. And I sure as hell did not love him.

“You fucking barbarian,” I hissed. “I told you it was an accident and he needs help! And now you’ve cast him out into the world where he has no one and nothing?”

“I don’t fucking care about him!” Reaper leaned toward me to yell, far enough that Jandro and Gunner had to pull back on his shoulders. “I care about you. You told me not to kill him and I respected that. Beyond that, it’s my decision what happens to him, and I want him far away from my wife, my family.”

“I wish he did kill me,” I said, enjoying the look of shock on Reaper’s face as I wrenched his ring off my finger. “Then I wouldn’t have to live with a husband who’s a heartless piece of shit!”

The ring clattered noisily to the floor, the sound echoing deafeningly throughout the whole house as my men stared at me in stunned silence. Desperate to get away, I slid past them and up the stairs to the master bedroom. I slammed the door behind me and sank to the floor, too weary to even collapse on the bed.

I sobbed noisily, releasing all my heartbreak through painful wracks of my chest and not caring who heard. Not even Freyja was here to comfort me. Maybe she could sense that I didn’t want to be comforted. In that moment, I just wanted to wallow in the hurt.

It happened just like Noelle said—my heart had been broken by two men.

Shadow, at first for hurting me, then the fact that he was gone without a trace. And now Reaper, trying to act like a savior when he just hurt me worse.

Shadow…Oh, poor Shadow.

Where would he go? A fresh sob escaped me at the thought of him alone, trying to navigate a world filled with strangers. It would be lonely and isolating even for the most well-adjusted person. My chest ached so badly, like my very soul was splitting in half.

I cried until I had no strength left to sob with. My head ached and my whole body felt encased in cement. Tired of sitting against the door, I slid down to the floor on my side. If Shadow was out there all alone, with no friends or support, what right did I have to a comfortable bed?

My mind wouldn’t shut off to sleep. The exhaustion would take me eventually, but all of their faces played on a reel through my mind, each one another prick of a needle through my heart.

Shadow kissing the scar on my belly, the warmth in his eyes when he asked me to stay. Then in contrast, his face full of hatred, eyes cold and unflinching as I begged for my life. Reaper with tears in his eyes. Reaper with no remorse. Gunner siding with him, which felt like another betrayal to me. And Jandro, my poor Jandro. The only one besides me with enough heart to care.

My head against the floor, I heard footsteps slowly ascend the stairs. A fresh bolt of anger struck through me. If any of them thought they could convince me this was the right thing to do, I wouldn’t just discard their jewelry. I’d kick and punch my way out of here until I had some peace. I was sick of these men, even hated them in the moment.

The floorboards creaked under the weight of the footsteps. They approached the bedroom door slowly, as though unsure if they really wanted to see me or not. The footsteps paused just on the other side while I waited, listening while curled up on the ground.

“Mari? It’s me.”

Jandro.

Something in my chest lurched, and I pressed up from the floor. The sadness in his voice called to mine, and now I was desperate to not be alone.

I opened the door to let him in. He didn’t say a word but pulled me into another embrace. And somehow, I found the strength to cry again.

Jandro let me sob on his shoulder, running his hands up and down my back. His body occasionally jerked with a rough breath and I knew he was fighting tears too.

“He’s…he’s gone…” It seemed to hit me hardest right then, that I would never see Shadow again.

“I know.” Jandro’s breath rattled shakily out of his chest. “I know. I’m so sorry.”

“You couldn’t have stopped him.” I leaned my forehead into his neck, cradling my arms between his