Feral thought about it and finally sat forward, leaning toward her, his arms on the table between them. “You know what Frenzy always says?”
“What’s that?”
“He says there’s a tiny little line between love and hate, and he often refuses to recognize that line. He said that was why he chose to believe that Tawny loved him.”
“But he left her here, he must not have been that sure.”
“She didn’t want him. She fought him at every turn. He said he’s tired of fighting for everything and just wants peaceful and easy. If somebody doesn’t want him, then he doesn’t want them. He refuses to make anybody do anything they don’t want to do to begin with anymore.”
“I lost your point in there somewhere,” Hail said.
“My point is, Titus was so wrapped up in you he was feeding you. Made you a plate, picked out the best pieces of chicken. Made sure you spent the night with him instead of at Alison’s house. If he backed off it’s because he was hurt you didn’t want him.”
“I did want him. But I have responsibilities.”
“You had responsibilities, Hail. Now we’re all just people that are free to make our own choices. My choice is I’m going back.”
“Definitely?” she asked.
“Yep. I’m going to access some of that money they gave me when we were freed, and I’m going to buy a car. Then I’m coming back here, putting my stuff in it, letting Law and Sin know I’m out, and I’m hitting the road.”
“So, like tomorrow?”
“Or tonight, or even today. As soon as I can get it all done.”
Hail sat there, staring directly at Feral as her mind worked in circles.
“What are you thinking?” he finally asked.
“Storm said that Athena has already chosen a different life, she’s having a baby with Scorn. Storm’s chosen to earn a spot in the SOT teams if she can. And we don’t hardly even see Torrid and Flash anymore. Storm said that I shouldn’t feel like I have to remain loyal to a promise I made when life was different. We aren’t captive anymore and not only would I not be letting anybody down, I have the right and the freedom to choose my own fate rather than holding true to a promise I was forced to make. And Athena said almost exactly the same thing when we talked when I first got home. ”
“They’re right.”
Hail nodded. “I’ve been back and forth over it a few times on the way back, and again since I got here, too.”
“Let me sum it up for you. I’m going. You don’t have to. You can go a year from now if you want to, or not at all. There’s no time limit one way or the other. But if you want to go with me, you need to be ready within a few hours. It might take me longer to get everything done and back here, but it might not. As soon as I get a car and get back here, I’m talking to Sin and/or Law and I’m leaving. The only things I need to pack are my clothes and my weapons. It won’t take me long.”
Hail nodded.
“One other thing,” he said standing up.
She looked up at him.
“If Titus is really hurt, what’s the fastest way to get over somebody hurting you?”
“Replace them,” Hail said, her face morphing into a mask of anger.
“I’m sure Jack would accept you no matter when or why you show up and ask for sanctuary. But the longer you wait, the greater the chance Titus assuages his broken heart with a substitute. You need to make up your mind about going with me. And maybe you don’t want to. But if you want to go with me, you need to decide now.”
“What if he won’t have me?” Hail asked.
Feral smirked at her. “You had him practically begging you to stay. You really think he’d refuse you?”
“He was pretty pissed off.”
Feral shrugged. “Think about your night together. Did he give you any indication of what he was feeling?”
Hail thought about it, her mind remembering the feeling, the sounds, the touches, the absolute reverence he touched her with. Was it wild sex, completely toss caution to the wind and go for it? Absolutely. But even then, something in his eyes, the way he held her… it was more than sex. She stood up. “I gotta go talk to Athena.”
