“She’s asking for a red ass,” Hunter says.
“Yeah,” I sigh, and we watch her disappear around the corner of the house. When she's gone, we have no choice but to face each other. “Did Lawson apologize for the kitchen?”
“He did. I decided to let it slide,” Remy says, slipping his hands in his pockets.
“He praised me for making food for our mate,” Lawson says lightly, but he watches me intensely. “Why do you feel guilty?”
“We let you go,” I whisper.
“Let me? Did we really have a choice? We were children. They didn’t see us as shifters; to them, we were human kids needing a home.” He looks at Hunter and Remy. “We were lost without Mom and Dad. I couldn’t stop crying. I don’t remember much, but I cried all the time. We were confused and didn’t know what to do.”
“I was old enough to know it was wrong,” Hunter says, crossing his arms. “I could have figured out a way to get all of us out.”
“How would we have survived?” Remy asks, narrowing his eyes. “Four boys on the streets. Yes, we're shifters, but our understanding of our animal was minimal.”
“It was my job to find a way,” Hunter rasps.
“No,” Lawson says, frowning. “You have always taken the responsibility for us. Heath told me how hard you looked for Remy and me. The things you did. You didn’t give up. Bane didn’t give up. The situation was shit. The important thing is that we are together now.”
“Yet, you insist on talking to that man,” I grit out, and he tilts his head.
“You’re mad.” He raises a brow. “At me,” he says.
“Fuck yeah,” I growl, taking a step. “This man abused you. He forced you to fight others and live like a wild animal. He fucked with your mind and made you doubt yourself and us. He told you we were dead. If he lived in the open, we could have found you faster. It wouldn’t have taken years to find a lead. How could we find a pack that lived feral? No trace. If it weren’t for Heath’s resources and long reach, it would have taken even longer.” I move closer. “You lived in hell while we found a home. I want to kill him. I want to wrap my hands around his throat and see the life leave his eyes. Not only for what he forced you to do, but because of the sadness that was still lurking in your eyes before our mate showed up. She is our salvation, yet you are still determined to walk into a building with that motherfucker.”
“Are you done?” Law asks, cupping my shoulder.
“I don’t know. It depends on what you are going to say,” I grumble.
“Bane,” he sighs, flexing his fingers. “You aren't to blame.” He drops his hand and glances at Hunter. “Neither of you.” He looks at me. “Yes, he abused me and many others. He made it seem as if he was giving us the greatest life. I want to kill him. Many of the others in the pack also deserve death for what they have done.” He shakes his head slightly. “I was one of them.”
“Law—” Hunter moves.
“No.” Lawson faces all of us. “I fell into the life he gave me. I accepted it. Of course, I knew it was wrong, but when I thought you were dead, what was the point of fighting it? That’s on me. It’s not the fighting, living on the land, or the abuse that pisses me off the most. He made me care about him. That's the thing I can’t get past. Why? Did he care, or was it all an act? I need answers.”
“What if you don’t like the ones he gives you?” Hunter asks.
“I know I won’t like them, but I still need them.” He looks over his shoulder. “She's the reason it'll be alright when he denies me.”
“Sometimes, bad shit just happens,” Remy says softly, and we look at him. “We are who we are because of the bad, just as much as the good. If you weren’t strong and good at your core, he would have broken you. I wanted answers from Vivian. I discovered she was a miserable person, ashamed of her shifter side, and clung to the idea that I could give her the attention she deserved. It took time to come to terms with that realization.” He glances at Hunter and me. “Lawson hasn’t had as much time as I have.”
“Do you agree with him?” Hunter asks.
“Yes. He needs to face his past to move on,” Remy says.
“I appreciate your need to protect me.” Law shakes his head. “But I need to do this. Are you willing to stand with me?”
“What the fuck kind of question is that?” Hunter snarls. “We are brothers by blood and bone. What you need, we need. Heath is setting it up, and we will be there. If you need to talk to the asshole before we kill him, that’s what we will do.”
“Thanks, Brother.” Law grins. “I love you.” Hunter looks away. “Bane?”
“Yes,” I grit out. “I’ve dreamt of all the ways I could kill him.”
“You know I feel nothing but love for you,” Law whispers.
“Same,” I rumble.
“Shit,” Remy mutters. “We all love each other.” He runs his hands through his hair. “It’s settled. Now, find whatever clothes you have that aren't stained, and shower. We are going to take our mate out to the restaurant and give her a proper date.”
