High-Sided (Armed & Dangerous #3)(12)

“Who told you?” Janie asked.

He glanced at her, then turned a wary look my way. “They just arrived with Brad Hendrix. I wanted to warn you before you walked back into the church and saw them.”

My blood boiled like fire in my veins. I marched to the door so fast, even Sean couldn’t catch me when I slipped past him, ignoring his pleas for me to stop.

The second I stormed into the church, it didn’t take long to spot them. They stood at the end of the receiving line, waiting to meet Levi’s parents. But I didn’t want them anywhere near them. Brad Hendrix had on an expensive suit with a high dollar watch to go along with his perfectly coifed, dirty blond hair. We all knew he was from a wealthy family, but he made sure to show it. No matter how much money his racing team had, they still weren’t the best; they never would be.

Mark noticed me first and nudged Jacob in the side. He turned to look at me, and tensed as I charged forward.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I roared. Gasps erupted all around us.

Brad stepped to the side and held up his hands. “We’re here to pay our respects, Ms. Bennett.”

I glared at him. “I wasn’t talking to you.” He didn’t like being dismissed, but I’d lost my ability to play nice. Jacob and Mark looked uncomfortable, and that was what I wanted. “You need to leave,” I warned them. “We all know you sorry pieces of shit hate us, including Levi. This place is for his friends and family.”

My whole body shook and I was on the verge of tears. Sean whispered something in Levi’s father’s ear. He stormed over with the same look on his face that Levi got when he was mad. “Kassidy’s right. This place is for Levi’s friends and family.”

Brad puffed up and placed his hands on Mark and Jacob’s shoulders. “Let’s go, boys.”

Jacob turned out of his hold to face me, eyes wild. He grabbed my arms and I gasped. “I’m not a killer, goddammit. I would never hurt someone like that. You have to believe me.”

Sean was about to push him off, but I beat him to it, punching Jacob in his lower jaw. Adrenaline coursed through my veins and I didn’t even feel the pain, even though I’d heard something crack in my hand. “I don’t believe anything that comes out of your mouth,” I hissed. “Now get out of here, before I make sure you never get a ride out of anyone ever again.”

Brad grabbed his arm and pulled him from the church. Everyone in the room stared at me, making me want to hide.

My father wrapped his arms around me and I cried against his chest. “I’m proud of you, peanut. It makes me feel good to see you standing up for those you love.”

“You need to tell me the truth,” I whispered. “You can’t keep me in the dark any longer.”

He sighed. “I know. I’ll tell you everything soon, I promise. But let’s make today for Levi.” It was another excuse, but I’d let it slide. His time was running out.





The service went by fast, and all I did was stare at Levi’s picture on top of his casket. I wanted to see him one last time, but his parents thought it best to close it. They wanted everyone to remember Levi the way he was before the accident. When he’d wrecked, his body was thrown over the guardrail and down the mountain. It wasn’t far from his house. I drove the long way around to his house this morning so I didn’t have to see where he was killed.

Sean was one of the pallbearers, including our other riders: Trey, Daniel, and Miller. Before they picked up the casket to carry Levi outside, we all picked a rose out of the arrangement on top. Maria held onto my hand as we followed them out of the church to the cemetery. The sky was downcast and gray, the exact way I felt inside.

“Do you mind speaking about Levi? You two were so close. No one knew him as well as you,” she cried.

We sat down under the tent and the preacher stood up by Levi’s casket to give a final eulogy. “I don’t know if I can,” I whispered.

She squeezed my hand. “Please, Kassidy. Harold and I need to hear about him.”

My throat closed up and I nodded. “Okay.” I couldn’t tell her no.

Once the preacher was done, he glanced down at Maria and she patted my hand. “It’s time, sweetheart.”

Holding the single red rose in my hand, I walked up to Levi’s casket and placed it on top. I rested my hand over it and closed my eyes, envisioning him smiling in my mind. Goodbye, Levi. I’m gonna miss you.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes and peered out at everyone. There were no smiles, only silent cries and weary faces. My chest grew tight, so I rubbed the area over my heart, hoping the pain would ease. Clearing my throat, I swallowed hard. “For those who might not know me, I’m Kassidy Bennett. Levi was my best friend. His mother asked me to come up and speak on his behalf, and I realized there are no words that can describe how amazing he was. All of you knew him, so you know what I’m talking about.”

Several people nodded and gave small, encouraging smiles. “Levi and I had been friends for most of our lives. Even though he hated it, I would always ask him to join me for my tea parties when we were kids. Wanting to make me happy, he did it. But in return, I had to play paintball with him. He sure loved shooting me with those things. It hurt like hell too.” I massaged an imaginary wound on my arm and heard some chuckles from the crowd.