“What about the other girls? You just left them there?”
“What did you want me to do?” she shouts. “We were trying to survive. We couldn’t have helped them. If we did, we’d have been caught, and we’d all have been fucked. I only cared about getting my sister out. Getting her to safety.”
“What about you?” Aiden asks.
“What about me?”
“Didn’t you want to be safe too?”
Lexi holds his stare before getting to her feet. “I’m done with this conversation.”
“Wait,” Sloane says. “You didn’t answer us.”
“About what?”
“About us courting you.”
Her brows furrow. “You still want to court me? Even after everything I just told you?”
“Yes,” Sloane says without hesitation.
Lexi gapes at him, not sure what to say.
“You were young and put in an unthinkable position. We don’t blame you or the other girls for what you had to do. I’m sure if you could have, you’d have saved them all.”
“We would have,” Lexi whispers.
“Let me guess, you blackmailed instead of taking it to the cops because even if he got locked up, you’d never actually be safe since people like that have other people of their own to back them up. People on the outside who work for them. Even if you were placed in Witness Protection, poison always finds its way into the smallest cracks. You did what you were able to do to survive, and we don’t blame you for it. We don’t judge you for it, either. If anything, you and your friends are fucking badasses for being able to do what you did. If anyone else tells you otherwise, they’re not worth your time or energy,” Sloane says all of this with sincerity, showing he believes every word of what he’s saying.
Damn it. I wanted to hate these guys, I really fucking did. Then the fucker had to go and say the perfect thing that would validate the choices the girls made. The one thing that’s been eating Lexi alive for years.
I’ve told her as much myself, but I think it’s hitting her differently coming from these men.
Lexi’s whole body starts to tremble, and a sob slips free. I’m on my feet, wrapping her in my arms tightly, pressing her face to my chest. She clings to me, crying, letting out all the hurt and pain she’s been holding in for years.
The two Alphas watch, on edge, wanting to help but holding themselves back.
I look them both in the eyes and mouth “Thank you.”
They relax, understanding my meaning, and nod.
Without a word, I scoop my girl into my arms and carry her up to bed. I undress her, then myself, and we both get into bed. I pull her onto my chest, and I hold her as she cries herself to sleep, whispering words of comfort and reassurance.
I don’t worry about the Alphas downstairs. They can do what they want. Stay, or go. Right now, the only thing that matters is Lexi.
And our sweet baby that's growing inside her.
I’m not sure what will happen when we wake up tomorrow, but as long as Lexi is by my side, we’ll get through it together.
Chapter 17
Lexi
“Emmett,” I whisper-hiss, pushing at his shoulder.
He lets out a groan, opening his eyes and squinting at me. “What's wrong?” His voice is groggy with sleep.
“There are two Alphas downstairs, and I don’t know what to do,” I hiss.
