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GAGE
She eventually stands, and with her head held high, she marches upstairs. She refuses to be cowed. When her door shuts, I sit heavily and scrub at my face. I hate her, I really fucking do, as much as I want her.
But watching her break apart?
It hurt.
It called to a dark, possessive part of me that wants our prisoner, our rich girl. I wanted to wipe those tears away and promise to make it better. But I can’t, and I shouldn’t. She hurt my family deeply. She would betray us any chance she got…
Wouldn’t she?
Only she didn’t ring the police. She didn’t even try to escape or call for help. She just rang him, the bastard who never deserved her in the first place. I knew she didn’t have a good past, but what I saw today only confirms that and solidifies what a fighter she is, a survivor. I might not fully trust her, but I know she will do what it takes to make it through this. The only choice we have is to inflict more pain or let her go.
She’s right—we can’t keep her here forever.
Can’t we?
I push those dark thoughts away, the ones that have me wanting to tie her to my bed and keep her there for myself. It’s a fantasy, that’s all. One I won’t act on. Archer is right—in the end we only have our family. Everything I do is for them, always.
They come before my own wants and desires.
Just then, the door opens and Eric ducks in. He scans the room, and when he doesn’t see her, he seems to deflate. Shutting the door behind him, his eyes go to the stairs, and he hesitates.
“We need a meeting,” Archer says, grabbing his attention.
He nods distractedly and sits. He’s panting, his face is red and sweaty, and his clothes are muddy. It’s obvious he was out running, punishing himself like usual when he feels like he’s fucked up or the memories get too loud.
I know. I was the one who taught him that coping mechanism.
“About what?” Eric mutters, not meeting our eyes. I clap him on the shoulder to remind him we are here. He relaxes, understanding, and my eyes go back to Archer. He seems unsure what to say or do.
I’m not. For once, I raise my voice and make my opinion known, knowing they will listen. It’s rare for me to speak on such things, but when I do, they know it’s well thought out and usually unbiased. Even if that feels like a lie now, because I’m biased.
I want her.
I… Fuck, I even like her a little.
“We can’t keep her anymore.” My words are slow as I reason it all out, trying to be emotionless, but the truth is I’m not. I’m emotional. I have been since the first time I laid eyes on her. For a man used to a cold, dead heart, it’s unnerving.
“Gage…” Booker starts, but I shake my head and his voice fades. Archer watches me carefully, waiting for me to continue. I almost shift under their scrutiny but refuse to be cowed.
“It’s all changed. She has changed it, whether you like her or not. We cannot continue this. She is worth nothing to anyone,” I add when they look shocked. “We might as well let her go instead of continuing to torture her.”
After all, that’s what we are doing.
Even the thought of letting her go saddens me for a reason I refuse to examine. I know, for the first time in my life, I’m making the right decision. We aren’t good men, but we don’t have to be evil. I signed up for this to be a family, earn money, and to give back, not to hurt others or destroy them.
“Fine, we’ll give her a choice,” Archer finally says, watching me carefully. “She knows the truth now, or most of it. She knows there is nowhere else for her to go, but we will let her pick. If she betrays us, then so be it. We’ll deal with the consequences and kill her. We won’t be the monsters she is making us out to be in her head.”
“She didn’t call the police,” Eric murmurs sadly. “I don’t think she will. I think she’s watching her life crashing down around her and is lashing out. Her fiancé” —the word is bitter on his lips— “betrayed her. No one else cared enough to help. She has no one. Even her money can’t change that. I don’t think she wants to hurt us. I just don’t think she feels like she has any other choice.”
“She’s a fighter, like us. What would we do?” Booker asks, searching our gazes. “If it were us, we would never give up, no matter who held the key. That’s all she’s doing, trying to free herself, so let her. Free her and see what she does.”
“You all went from hating her to advocating on her behalf very quickly,” Archer murmurs.
“I never hated her.” Eric sighs. “I was just hurt and took it out on her, but Booker is right. How can we expect her to trust us, to not betray us, when we are holding her prisoner? It was bound to happen.”
Booker nods. “I only hated her a little because she upset Eric, but watching her this morning? I can’t do this, man. I can’t hurt her anymore. She doesn’t deserve it. She deserves so much more than this fucked up world has ever given her. I won’t be part of the reason she fears people.”
