“Funny. I don’t recall asking for permission,” I said to the two Azuls, leaving them behind as I jogged to catch up to Nero, hooking my arm with his in solidarity as we made our way through the mansion and out the front to the end of the driveway.
The girl looked like she needed help, and I would rather risk it than turn a blind eye when it’s obvious that she’s in a terrible state.
Even despite Siege and Dex’s refusal of my idea, I heard their footsteps behind me, and they reached the gate even before I did. To scope out whether she’s alone, no doubt.
When I got there—silently cursing the long-ass driveway along the way—I had to push between the two of them because they were blocking the girl from my view.
I managed to glare at them both before I leveled with the girl’s eyes, squatting.
“Hello,” I said in a gentle greeting, in hopes that I could make her feel comfortable enough to talk.
Yet she stayed silent, only staring at me.
“Do you need help? Are you looking for someone?”
Still no answer.
“Are you hungry? Do you want some food?”
The girl’s eyes widened a tiny fraction at that, and I took it as a silent yes.
Standing up straight, I looked at Siege, nodding my head sideways towards the gate. “Open it.”
“Little vixen, we don’t know a thing about her or where she came from?—“
“Open it, Siege. I’m trying to be polite because this isn’t my house, and I won’t force you. But if you don’t, I’m driving Nero’s truck home, and I’m bringing her with me.”
Siege let out a deep breath, running his fingers up his hair before he nodded, clicking on the panel that manually unlocked the gate.
“Dex, make sure she’s not bugged. No weapons,” he said, and I was about to protest, but he stopped me with a look. “I’m meeting you halfway, Cosette. Don’t push it. I am doing this foryoursafety.”
The look in his eyes would be scary to any other person, but I knew better than to take it as it is, because I knew he was being truthful. He didn’t want to put me in danger, and out of the four of us, I was at the greatest disadvantage if things were to go south.
The girl didn’t look dangerous, but neither did Andy.
I should know better than to trust easily.
The girl finally crossed over the line where the steel gate used to be, and Dex knelt on the rock path, reaching towards her to frisk her when she suddenly moved to attack Dex.
She was fierce, but she had nothing on Dex, not just in size, but also in strength, as he immediately twisted her arms behind her back so she couldn’t scratch at him.
“Holy fuck, what the hell is wrong with this kid?” He asked as she continued writhing in his hold, wanting to get set free, and I gently grabbed her by the arm, telling Dex to let go of her.
Once he did, the girl calmed down a bit, though she was still panting from the effort she had exerted.
After observing that my touch didn’t seem to make her go on the offensive, I figured it was the fact that Dex is amanwho reached for her.
“I’ll do it. No one touches her but me.”
I showed the girl my hands, my eyes trained on her as I said, “I have to check you, okay? Just for weapons or wires. It’ll be quick, I promise.”
Dreading of having to go through the process, I only felt more sick to my stomach that when I frisked her, I could feel her bones protruding from her skin because of how thin she was.
“She’s clear,” I mumbled, sighing in relief that now, we could focus on helping her.
I stood up, urging her to follow me as I walked back towards the mansion, my guys behind us.
I watched her from the corner of my eye, worry in my gaze, but I made sure there was a space for discernment.
