Page 85 of Bitter Truths

“Tell me!”

Freddie’s face goes white, words tumbling out in a rush. “She makes us... she films us...”

His panic flickers in those green eyes. I can see he’s reliving the abuse, and whatever it is, isn’t pretty.

Fuck!

I pushed too hard.

I find myself climbing into his lap without thinking. My legs bracket his thighs as I frame his face with my hands.

“I’m sorry, Freddie, please look at me.”

His eyes find mine, wild and desperate. “You won’t be able to look at us the same.”

“I will. You’re so good, Freddie. So perfect. No matter what. Nothing changes that.”

He gasps for air. “You don’t understand⁠—”

“I don’t need to understand anything to know who you are.” I press my forehead against his. “I’ve known you my whole life.”

His body shakes beneath mine, hands coming up to clutch at my waist like I’m his anchor.

I can’t fix this, but I can hold him through it.

He swallows hard. “You’ll leave again.”

“No.” The word comes out absolute. I press a soft kiss to his face, then another. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And I mean it.

I can’t go back.

I can’t leave them to fend for themselves again.

The room is quiet… the significance of what I just said hanging in the air.

“I’m here.” I wrap my arms around his neck and let him bury his face against me. “I’m not leaving you. It’s okay. You’re okay.”

His grip tightens, his whole body trembling as he holds me like I might disappear. Several minutes pass before his breathing evens out, and the tension leaves his shoulders.

Owen grunts. “I’m not feeling particularly good either.”

I turn to look at him, one eyebrow raised. “Really? What’s wrong?”

He presses a hand to his chest dramatically. “Severe emotional distress. Might need some attention.”

He’s jealous.

My lips tug up at the corners. “You’re terrible.”

But I slide off Freddie’s lap and move to Owen anyway. He’s sitting there, looking up at me with those dark eyes.

He needs this just as much as Freddie did.

I run my fingers through the soft strands. Immediately, he leans into the touch like he’s starving for it, his eyes falling shut.

Before I can react, his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer until I’m standing between his knees. Then he presses his face into me, holding me so tight it’s like he’s trying to absorb me through his skin.