The Wolf Cave

 Chapter Seventeen

I yanked my arm from Ray’s grip and stumbled back away from him. I stared up into his livid, red face and actually gulped. In situations like these I find myself contemplating the best way to react. Once again I made the wrong decision. To bluntly put it, I laughed. It was with total innocent nervousness of course, but Ray didn’t know that and became even angrier.

 “What?” I asked.

It probably wasn’t the best response. Ray had obviously seen Colton kissing me or he wouldn’t be here right now spitting fire from his mouth. I frowned, why does he even care, considering what he done to me tonight?

"Why the fuck were you kissing Colton?”

“None of your damn business.”

I went to stalk away but Ray stopped me, “Do not walk away from me Layla. Answer my damn question. Why the hell was he kissing you?"

I glared at my brother, the anger I felt for him before resurfacing, "Once again. It's none of your business!"

"It is my business when his tongue is shoved down your throat. Do you even know who he is?"

"No," I whispered sarcastically, "I have no clue."

Ray narrowed his eyes and unexpectedly punched the wall nearby, cracking the cement and leaving an indentation of his fist. I gasped. I'd never seen him this angry.

“Ray!” I shouted out in disbelief, but was silenced when he grabbed hold of my upper arm roughly and started dragging me into the living room. I cried out in protest as he threw my body down on the couch, whilst he stood in front glaring at me. Anger snapped through me at his manhandling, “What the hell is your problem!?”

“Give me an answer. I knew he didn’t just come here to give you back your jacket the other day, you better fess up and make it snappy!”  

I stood up, even though Ray was huge and taller than me, I felt daring. Not that I thought he’d ever hit me. I knew he wouldn’t. But he’s never spoken to me like this before and I was absolutely not taking it. 

“I don't have to tell you anything!" 

“Yes you do. He’s dangerous, yeah, dangerous. Want me to spell it out for you?”

“How would you know?” 

“Because I do, you end things with him right now. If you don't, I will. I am not having you getting mixed up with the likes of him!”

The likes of him? My heart started hammering against my chest at the thought of never seeing Colton again. Although I was ending things with him anyway, to have someone tell you to end things made pain shoot across my chest.

I didn't know what Ray was talking about. I knew Colton has a lot of secrets and he even admitted he has people trying to kill him, but how does Ray know all of this? Was it Toby, did he say something? What didn't I know?

I was then momentarily distracted by my brother's shoulders shaking. I didn’t know if it was from anger or because he was sick, but he didn’t look good. His face was pale and pasty looking, like he was coming down with a fever. 

"You don’t get to play the big brother roll..." I mumbled, "Not after the humiliation you put me through tonight.”

He frowned and then scoffed, "Don’t change the subject. You pack things in with Colton right now or I swear to god I’ll-"

“You’ll what?” I cut him off, “You'll do what Ray? Keep me prisoner in the house? You can’t do fuck all and you know it. I think I’m old enough to take care of myself. Colton is my business, so back off!"

I was about to walk away when Ray caught hold of my wrist and ragged me back into him, “He is dangerous."

“So you keep saying! I am not having this conversation with you.”

I turned around to go towards the stairs, but before I left the room, I heard a stiff groan from behind me. I stopped and turned my head around to see Ray bent over, his hands wrapped around his stomach as he hissed out in pain. I frowned and quickly went over to him. Reaching out, I went to touch his shoulder but he jerked away from me.

“Don’t.”

 “What’s going on with you?”

Ray straightened up then and glanced at me, his eyes hard and cold. “I’m fine. Just leave me alone.”

With that he stormed away from me and out of the living room, but I sort of got the feeling that he was running away. A second later the front door slammed shut making the house rattle. I scowled out in anger, but I couldn’t help feeling worried too.