The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(46)

“Look, you say he hurt Cherry, then I agree Boonie had it coming. We have your back, Lip,” I hear Bull state. I tear my eyes from the gore to Bull’s voice, finding him in the kitchen with the doors shut. “Did Cherry see you do this? You can’t upset her. You need to keep her happy, Lip.” I frown.

“She saw some blood on me last night, but it didn’t affect her. How much longer do I have to f*cking do this for, man?” Lip questions and I suck in a sudden breath, my fingers digging into the palm of my hands. What is he talking about?

“Why?” Bull questions, flat.

“I just… I don’t know if I can do this much longer. Things are getting serious, and I can’t keep myself from…” Lip pauses, and I hold my breath.

A cup is kicked behind me, making me jump and turn toward the noise. It’s that bitch I saw all over Lip last night. I place my hands on my hips and glare.

“So, I hear you’re Lip’s ol’ lady.”

Her mascara is smeared and her lipstick is smudged halfway across her cheek.

“I think you forgot some of your lipstick on some strange dick,” I sneer. She purses her lips and raises a brow.

She tilts her head to the side and crosses her arms. “I thought if Lip was taken it would be by someone much prettier,” she insults.

“Ha! Run along back home before Daddy finds you missing,” I sneer.

“I hope you’re as pretty as you think you are. Lip is done with you. He’s ridden that tired-ass vagina of yours out and is looking for something new.” She smirks and my stomach falls. “He even gave me my nickname around here, Dolly. He must think I’m pretty sweet to call me something as cute as Doll, don’t you?”

“You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?” I question, my voice coming out more confident than I feel.

She shrugs. “Believe what you want, sweetie. But when I’m wearing that cut and you aren’t anymore, the reality won’t lick those wounds so well.” She sashays by me, and I reach forward and grab her hair.

“If you go near my man, I will rip the hair from your f*cking head, do you hear me?” I yank on her hair hard. It snaps and pulls from her scalp, making her scream loudly. Lip and Bull rush out of the kitchen, so I let go.

“Fucking psycho!” Dolly cries, holding her head.

“Jesus, Cherry. Why do you have to be a pain in my ass?” Bull exclaims, catching Dolly. “Come on, darling. Let’s get you to your bike, and get you out of here before the Ghost Riders wake.” Bull helps Dolly stand and walks her out. The bitch rides her own motorcycle?

I want to know if Lip called her Dolly, and I want to know what the hell he was talking about with Bull, but the blood on the floor has me more concerned. What did Lip do? I step forward and survey the chair.

“Did you do this?” I ask. I don’t need to ask, though, because I know he did. Looking at the blood, I see little chunks that catch my attention.

“What the….?” I bend down to get a better look and find the chunks are teeth. A lot of them. I cover my mouth and turn away quickly, vomit threatening to race up my throat. Lip couldn’t have done this. Not the Lip I know. I clench my eyes shut and swallow hard. I’m starting to second-guess how well I know the man I love.

“Cherry, babe.” Lip grabs my elbow, his voice soft.

“I’m fine,” I choke. I’m not fine.

“Why don’t you go home? We need to get this cleaned before The Ghost Riders get up.” I nod in agreement, needing out of here.

“Yeah, I need to go see-” I stop, nearly exposing my lies. I swallow hard and shake my arms out, trying to get a hold myself. “I need to go get a few things.”

Lip’s eyes, which were pulled into a tight scowl, ease slightly. He leans forward and kisses me, but it’s not a peck, not a simple ‘I’ll see you later’ kiss. It’s deep and hard, his hands grabbing my face.

“Bye, babe,” Lip whispers against my lips.





CHAPTER EIGHT


CHERRY


I head to Golds Trailer Park and find Piper outside playing on the poor excuse for a playground. I pull over and park the car. She is so beautiful, and every time I see her I want to tell her I’m her mother and I love her, but I can’t. It hurts, words I can’t speak eating me from the inside out. I hope one day Eric feels this uncontrollable ache that dwells in my chest. That the judge feels the wrath of karma, and when he steps in the sight of the Devil it shows him no mercy. That’s all I have at this point, hope that karma and the scales of justice will punish Eric and Judge Calhoun.

I step out and head toward her. It’s Saturday, so her father won’t be home till late.

“Hey, Cherry, wanna see me climb to the top?” Piper asks. Her hair is pulled into two messy piggy tails, and she’s wearing an outfit I bought her a few weeks ago. It’s neon orange and green. It’s summery, and perfect with her vibrant hair.

“Yeah, let’s see it,” I reply. I can’t help but smile when I see her. She climbs all the way to the top of the dome and stands up.

“Did you see how fast I went?” She laughs. Just as I’m about to answer, one of the rusted bars breaks and her foot slips. I run to her and catch her before she hits the dirt.

“Are you okay?” I ask, looking her over anxiously.