I stare out at the horizon, jaw tight, chest hollow. If this is what it takes to keep her safe… If staying away is the price… Then I’ll pay it.
Even if it kills me.
25
ELLA
I’ve been in hiding for two days.
Two full days of avoiding my brothers, the kitchen, stables, and anything that reminds me of Cole, which unfortunately is everywhere. My entire life has somehow become a map of the places where he used to touch me, look at me, smile at me.
Two days of replaying that awful moment in his cabin when he looked at me like loving me was a mistake he desperately needed to undo. Two days of feeling pathetic for crying over something that wasn’t technically a breakup because we never officially named what we were.
But it felt like one, and it hurts like one.
I’m curled on the far corner of the living room couch, knees pulled up, pretending to be intensely focused on work emails while ignoring three grown men hovering around me like oversized, confused barn animals.
I had to leave my bedroom to make space for the maids to clean, and this is the only place I could come to. Too bad it brought me in front of the same people I’m trying to avoid.
Zane clears his throat for the tenth time. “Ella…”
I don’t look up.
Beck edges closer like I’m a spooked colt. “Can we talk? Please?”
I continue scrolling, even though I haven’t read a single sentence on my screen.
Jace sighs loudly. He does that when he’s trying not to yell. “Shiloh, come on. This silent treatment is childish.”
That does it. I shut my laptop so hard the sound echoes through the room. All three freeze, finally, like they realize the ground under them is about to crack open.
“You think this is childish?” I snap, sitting up straight, voice steady in that terrifying way I get when I’ve hit my breaking point. “Really, Jace?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I just want you to talk to us,” he apologizes.
“You’re not ready for the truth,” I scoff.
“Yes, we are. Talk to us. Please,” Beck pleads.
The three Morgan brothers—six-foot-something walls of muscle and ego—actually take a step back. Good. Because the truth clawing inside me wants out, and it’s been waiting years.
I look at all three of them, wondering if they are ready for this, and realize I’ve held it in long enough.
“Fine, you wanted me to talk? Congratulations. You pushed hard enough. Let’s talk,” I say, getting to my feet. My heart is pounding so hard I feel it in my wrists. “No one is leaving until you listen.”
Zane opens his mouth, but I cut him off with a raised hand. “Not you. Not yet. I’m starting with Beck.”
Beck blinks. “Me?”
“Yes,” I snap. “You.”
His shoulders tense, guilt flickering in his eyes, but he doesn’t know why. Not yet.
“You want to know why I’m mad at you?” I ask. “Really mad?”
Beck swallows. “Ella…”
“You crashed a truck into my training arena,” I start, voice shaking but not weak—shaking with finally, finally telling the truth. “You were high out of your mind. And I don’t care that you didn’t mean to. I don’t care that it wasn’t on purpose. What matters is that I lost everything that day.”
