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When I heard the lock being disengaged, another round of nerves crept in. Whoever had come to retrieve me would act the same, a drone taught to ignore every guest. Maybe it was better for them in the long run. I remained where I was, ignoring the person, but the footsteps were heavy, adding to my apprehension.
There was silence for far too long, which prompted prickles to appear along my arms and legs. Suddenly, the light breeze chilled me to the bone. Before I turned my head, I sensed it was one of them.
“You look beautiful.”
Brogan’s voice held none of the animosity that Alexander’s had, but there was still an edge to him. The man was just as dangerous, but not only because of his brawn and capabilities. He’d captured a portion of my heart years before. The moment I’d laid eyes on him, the deep feelings had been rekindled. Now they were an inferno because of what we’d shared.
Heat swept up from my neck, drifting along my cheeks all the way to my ears.
“It’s time,” I said not as a question. I knew he could hear the ugliness in my voice. Or maybe it was just a complex layer of fear. I tried to look away. I couldn’t allow him to see me cry.
But he had.
His expression changed, his eyes filling with concern. He brushed his thumb under one eye then the other, gathering my lingering tears. “What’s wrong, little flower?”
“What does it matter?”
“It does matter. I don’t want you hurt.”
I pushed my fist against his chest. “All three of you did that years ago.”
“Talk to me. Tell me how we did that. I’ll fix whatever is broken. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Brogan. I’m empty inside. I don’t know if I can handle the rage or anything else.”
He took a deep breath, glancing toward the sky. “When I was a kid, I was forced to listen to my parents arguing. My dad would break things, scream at her like everything that had gone wrong in his life was her fault. I used to crawl out onto the roof of the garage from my window and stare up at the stars. It was the only peace I ever had. I’d dream about all the things I wanted to do in my life when I got away from my abusive father.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said as I studied his eyes.
“Don’t be. I know you don’t understand why the three of us cared about each other, but we were all broken. Every one of us. Even Alexander. All the money his family had, all the power and influence, he was just as lost as the rest of us. So we banded together, making a pact. Garrison was a part of that. By his choice.”
Choice. I wondered if any of us had ever really had a choice.
“Did looking at the stars help?”
His laugh sounded bitter and ragged. “Only for a little while. Then the truth would always come back to haunt me. But I do know that there is beauty in this world. You reminded me of that. I think you reminded all of us. I only hope you can learn to trust us enough to explain your reasons for what you did. The pain is eating you alive.”
I closed my eyes, trying to shove aside memories of the fateful morning when I’d seen the four of them together.
When I didn’t say anything, he frowned. “You need to eat.”
“That’s what your leader said earlier.”
He laughed. “Leader? Is that what you believe Alexander to be?”
I turned around, folding my arms. “Well, isn’t he? Doesn’t he control both you and Daniel like puppets? Isn’t that what he did while you were at that very special, disgusting university? A secretive place training assassins and monsters.” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“What do you think you know about the college I went to?” Brogan walked closer. “The reason I ask is that you seem to know more than anyone is allowed to know, which means you must have a firsthand experience. Tell me. How is that possible?”
I’d put my foot into my mouth by saying anything about the damn secretive location. It was so far off the grid that you couldn’t find it on any college application. You were invited to the university if you were very special. “Nothing other than what I’ve read.”
My lies were only continuing the heightened anger. Brogan crowded me against the railing, placing his hands on either side of me.
“Unfortunately, little flower, there isn’t anything written in newspapers or magazines. There are no glossy brochures or other information stored away in the guidance counselor’s office of a single high school. You’re lying to us about more than just your identity. What are you trying to prove by keeping the information from us?”
He made me nervous, my heartrate skyrocketing. I had to throw them a bone or things could get ugly quickly. “I know people.”
“What people?”
