AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Do you forgive me?That’s the one that lingers. That’s the only one that matters. “I’m sorry-” I start to say, but the words are tainted with a small cry.
“Addison.” A voice to my right startles me before I can gather the strength to chance the apology. “So how’d you get him back here?” a deep voice asks me and I know immediately it’s Declan.
Daniel pulls me in closer, planting a small kiss on my temple in front of both of them as we stand in the foyer. It’s all too much, but none of them seem taken aback. Neither of the brothers is looking at me as if anything is off.
As if I’m not a reminder of what they’ve lost. Not an outsider. Not an enemy.
My lips part and I’m not sure what to say, but I’m grateful. I’m so grateful that I’m welcome. And that I get to see them again.
I never thought I would.
“Where’s Carter?” Daniel asks Declan, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me in more just slightly, but still easy and casually. His thumb hooks into my jeans and gently caresses my hip as he talks to both brothers.
I try not to make it awkward.
It takes everything in me not to cry upon seeing both of them.
I’m surprised when Daniel loosens his grip on me and whatever they were talking about comes to a halt.
I’m even more surprised when Jase leans in close.
“It’s good to see you, Addie,” Jase says and hugs me hard, so hard that Daniel has to take a step back. Finally letting my hand go as Jase pulls me to him. It’s been a long time since someone’s called me Addie. They all did back then. All of them but Daniel. I was always Addison to him.
The hug is short-lived and I’m still numb from it along with the shock of everything when Daniel asks for a minute. As soon as his brothers turn away, I press my palms to my eyes and try to calm myself down. It’s emotionally taxing to see those you’ve mourned because you thought you’d lost them forever.
“I’m okay,” I tell Daniel weakly as he rubs my back.
“I promise I’ll love you forever.” Daniel whispers words that frighten me. Words that threaten to take him from me one day. I hesitate to say it back and he adds, “Just stay with me.”
It’s a plea from the lips of a man who could destroy me.
Sometimes when you walk into a darkness, a place filled with both what terrifies you from the past and what will forever haunt you in the future, you get a sick feeling that washes over you.
Like you know bad things are coming.
“I love you too,” I whisper to Daniel and let him take my hand.
He squeezes lightly as I step further into the Cross estate.
It’s brightly lit, but it doesn’t fool me. The darkness is here.
There’s a certain feeling in the pit of your stomach. I felt it when Tyler brought me to his home all those years ago.
It’s a feeling that tells you you’re doing something wrong. Something you know you shouldn’t, but it tempts you and whispers all the right things; it promises you that you’re meant to be here.
Not unlike what I’ve felt since the moment I met Daniel. This force of needing to be with him. Of knowing I was supposed to be his all along.
Even if the very thought of being his was enough to send a chill over me each time he dared to breathe near me.
That feeling is supposed to warn you, to keep you safe.
Daniel kisses the underside of my wrist as I let the feeling settle through me.
Sometimes that feeling is terrifying.
Sometimes that feeling is home.
MERCILESS
