Page 34 of Wicked Dreams


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“All this shit is going to get her going again.”

“For the last fucking time, I’m sitting right here.” If looks could kill, Wade would be in a hundred pieces.

“I wasn’t trying to talk about you like you aren’t here. Just stating a fucking fact.” Wade pouts, and it’s very unlike him.

“Okay, okay. Before you two start pulling each other’s hair or fucking again, let me help. Wade, you’ve been having more serious feelings for Rory. Little Bird, you are finally awake after living most of your life in the most boring fucking coma ever. What’s happening and the circumstances of your arrival are less than ideal, sure, but I don’t think they’re a deal breaker.

Who else has something they’d like to say?“ Wade stares at me with his mouth hanging open; it’s very unattractive.

“Am I alone in my feelings for Rory?” His tone is casual, but Wade’s blazing emerald eyes make it very clear how important our answers to this question are.

“Nope. We all need more bonding time, but Little Bird belongs here. We can give her a real life.” She sits completely still in my lap now, but I hear her sharp intake of breath at my words, and I hold her tighter.

Hayes and Adler stare at each other, having one of their weird twin moments. They nod in unison and turn to face us, Hayes’ voice firm. “I’ve considered her ours since I drew that tattoo in my sketchbook. This whole thing is fucked up, but that makes it more fun.” He shrugs, and Adler nods along.

“Yeah, I’m nowhere near done with you, Princess. I don’t think you’re done with us either, even if you want to pretend otherwise.”

There’s silence for a minute, and we all sit here, waiting it out. I hold Rory closer and kiss the crown of her head, and she clears her throat.

“I don’t know what you expect me to say. My thoughts and emotions have been confusing since you brought me here. I’m not ready to have this conversation.”

I can see Wade tense up and open his mouth, but I cut him a look that has him shutting it. “Okay. Well, let’s move along for now. Henry responded to our message. One line. ‘Tell me what you want to leave my daughter alone.’ That’s it.”

“That’s more underwhelming than I was prepared for.” Adler grimaces when he realizes what he said. “Sorry, Princess.” Rory doesn’t respond.

“Mal wants us to ask for money before we reveal who we really are,” Wade interjects, and I feel Rory tense in my lap.

“You should call him. My father is never going to give you what you want if you just trade messages back and forth.” I give her another squeeze.

“Well, you heard Little Bird. Let’s call this dude and see what happens.” What could go wrong?

Rory

Theguysallstareat Gray skeptically, and I want to curl into a ball and hide in my room. My brain is still reeling from their confessions and the hot as fuck sex Wade and I had on this very table. It’s a lot of things to happen in such a short time, and my brain and lady parts need a second.

“Can I have a few minutes before you guys do this?” Gray squeezes me gently before releasing his arms from around me.

“Of course you can. We can call him without you if you don’t want to hear it,” he offers, and I appreciate it, but I very much want to hear what my father says.

“No. I want to be a part of this. Please don’t leave me out. I want to go clean myself up and take a minute before everything happens. Okay?”

“Okay. We’ll wait for you.” After everything else Gray has said tonight, I’m inclined to trust him.

I stand from his lap and walk into my room, closing the door behind me and leaning against it. When did this shit get complicated? Why is it complicated? I know I’ve been denying how they make me feel, and it’s been easy to use the drugs and dreaming as an excuse to keep things compartmentalized, but I think I need to seriously sort out my feelings. The problem is that I’ve been so conditioned by my parents to behave and think a certain way that I’m having trouble wrapping my brain around the fact that I have feelings for my abductors.

I let out a long breath and walk to the bathroom because I really do want to freshen up. Once I’ve peed, cleaned up, and washed my hands, I stare at myself in the mirror, looking for I don’t know what. I splash some water on my face, and the same blue eyes stare back at me. Except they aren’t exactly the same anymore. They look wiser, tired, sad, but there’s a little spark of something else there too.

In my heart, I know that Brendan and I have grown apart. Our marriage would be happy enough, but it wouldn’t be the love story I always dreamed of. Not that I’ve dreamed of my current situation either, but hey, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. My heart hurts, but I don’t know if it’s at the idea of letting Brendan go or the idea of letting these four guys in. It’s terrifying to trust one person with your life and love, let alone four.

I’m not going to decide anything now.

I splash some more water on my overheated face, wipe it off, and give myself a little pep talk. Just because I don’t know what I want right this second doesn’t mean it’ll always be this way. Plus, I’m a strong as fuck woman, and I can decide that I don’t want Brendan or these guys. Maybe I need to get out into the world more and fuck some shit up before I settle down with anyone. Or lots of anyones. Flora would be thrilled, so it’s something to entertain.

It’s time to get back out there. I straighten my dress, lift my head high, and square my shoulders. I walk back into the kitchen, and all the guys are sitting at the table with beer in front of them. I notice that Gray has two in front of his seat and take that to mean I’m supposed to sit there again. Once I’m within reaching range, Gray grabs me around the waist and hauls me into his lap. I make a noise of annoyance, but I actually really like that he just grabs me and puts me where he wants me. They all do things like that, and it makes me feel wanted and cared for in a way that I’ve never experienced. I guess that’s a point in the pro column on a list I didn’t realize I was making.

“Here’s what we discussed while you were gone, but please, feel free to contribute your thoughts and ideas.” Wade looks at me, and I nod for him to continue while I fight back a smile. “We kept your phone but turned it off and took it apart, so it couldn’t be tracked. Gray has made sure it is untraceable, and we’d like to call your father from it to increase the likelihood that he’ll answer. I will be the one talking to him, and everyone else is to remain quiet and listen. I plan to discuss money in exchange for your safety. I’m going to refrain from using the phrase that we’re going to give you back. We all understand you have feelings on the matter and aren’t ready to discuss it, but we’re not just going to let you go after all this. We have a lot to discuss between the five of us, but we’d like to keep that out of this conversation with your father. Is there anything we should know that would be helpful or anything you’d like to change or add before we call him?” Wade leans back in his chair, and I can tell he’s trying here, so I’m not going to fight him this time.

“That all sounds fine. I won’t say anything while you have him on the phone. I’ve never imagined a situation like this, so I’m honestly not sure how he’ll react or what he’ll say. I’d guess that threatening me will work wonders at getting him to comply with whatever you want though.” I shrug because it’s the best I’ve got off the top of my head.

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