“I think I’ll just go get dressed,” I mumble out around a giggle. Scurrying back to the room before they can make any comments.
After getting dressed in something less boner-inducing, I head back to the kitchen. The mess has been cleaned up, Zane is in front of the stove finishing the pancakes, and Kade is setting the table. Max has returned, freshly showered, his hair darkened by the water still lingering within it. Sporting a knowing smile as Ryder forbids him from entering the kitchen for the rest of the day.
“But what if I—”
“No.” Ry cuts him off, finality echoing through his tone. “I want to live to see tomorrow, and as much as I care for you, you’re a walking hazard!”
“I was just trying to surprise Bear with breakfast!” Max contests, pouting slightly.
“Exactly why you should have just ordered in. Instead of trying to end her life with your attempt to cook,” Zane shoots out over the sizzling of bacon.
Watching them all from the corner of the room, throwing jabs around like confetti, and casually cooking an elaborate meal. Moving in and around the furniture as well as each other like it’s become second nature. It’s all so… domestic. Cooking, cleaning, eating together around the table, they’re things I was never sure I would see in my future. The peacefulness that comes from having someone else you can lean on.
We eat more or less in silence—the awkward, annoying kind—as glances are thrown between each other and no one seems to want to meet my eyes.Well, this is just fun.As the meal comes to an end, Max—who had been consumed by eating and completely missed the awkwardness—finally breaks the tension.
“So, what do we want to do today?” he asks, clasping his hands over his stomach.
It’s not even the weekend so I’m surprised none of them have to work. I figured at least one of them would be taking off at some point.“Unless they all booked it off for you,”the little girl in me beams, still latching on to the hope our crush could ever go somewhere.
As I sit listening to them bicker if the mall or beach would be better, my phone dings with an incoming message.
Unknown
Cashing in. 1103 3rd Ave SW. Lvl 3. 14:00 hours
I let off a small sigh, making sure the guys can’t hear my frustration. I always knew this day would arrive. In fact, I’ve been waiting on it, ready to be done with J and the debt he holds over me. I just hoped it wouldn’t be right now. Another ding sounds off, signaling the incoming photo of my target. Quickly, I peek through my lashes to make sure I’m still unnoticed, finding the four of them in the midst of their debate. Oblivious to what’s happening over here.
The picture loads, showing me an older gentleman. Grey hair that he’s beginning to lose, and a pot belly larger than a pig's. This should be an easy job, little to no mess and a quick turnaround. Saving the photo to my phone, I shoot off a confirmation.
Me
Completion clears debt
With the address put into the GPS app, a thumbs up emoji as a reply, and the photo of my target tucked away, I delete the message thread from J. The location isn’t far from my old motel, which is perfect considering the fight still going on in front of me.
“Can I cast a vote?” I ask, grabbing everyone’s attention. No one says a thing, but they all stare at me with alert eyes, waiting for my next sentence. “I’d enjoy going to the beach. It can be just like the last time we were all together.”
Chewing at the inside of my cheek, I wait for them to respond. I’m hoping the thought of reliving some old memories will sway them enough to agree. Once we’re there, it should be easy enough to slip away, clear my debt, and make it back before they start to get suspicious.
A little over two hours later, the car is packed, the drinks chilled, and we’re on our way to an afternoon of sand and sun.And one measly murder.Zane is driving this time, heading for the spot designated for public use by the cafe.Yes, that very same one.
My thoughts wander as we drive. From memories to dreams of what my future on the run is going to look like. Between the job I need to complete without my childhood friends finding out, and what I want to eat for dinner on my last night with them. Subconsciously, my hand drifts, feeling the hard lines of my gun, and the cool metal of my dagger as they sit in their holsters around my thighs. The need to make sure they are still secure, takes me back to the day I got them, as I adjust my dress to keep them hidden.
They are breaking me down. Piece by fucking piece. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to hold on. Hold on to my wits, hold on to my sanity.
The senseless killing, them using my body as if it’s a weapon to be wielded and played with. There is no pleasure to be felt anymore, only pain. My inner darkness has continued to creep closer to the surface, pressing against the walls I’ve built, trying to take over.
I need to get out of here, killing the darkness within me once and for all, but how?
How can I run when I never get to be alone?
How can I hide when I’m always being watched?
Theclick of the lock undoing drags my attention to the door, the familiar sound signaling my space is about to be invaded. The door creaks open, a small head peaking in and I sigh in relief. A grin tugs at the edges of my lips seeing him enter the room, as it means I won’t be in pain. He sets the meal tray down beside me on the bed, moving over to the far wall to lean against it while he waits for me to finish.
If it was any other guard coming in, they would take what they wanted from my body—whether I fought it or not—before allowing me to eat. Their actions would always leave me feeling too nauseated to even think about having a meal. I would scarf down whatever I was given, my stomach threatening to expel it the second I did, but if I didn’t eat, my strength would dissipate. I would be left entirely defenseless, to the mercy of these men and their tiny dicks. But not with Jerome…
Don’t get me wrong, he’s just as psychotic as the lot of them, but he seems to have taken a liking to me. Or at least grown a minor soft spot. He doesn’t take from me anymore, instead requesting I stand bare before him while he masturbates. Getting himself off into a cloth or a tissue instead of on my skin. There are no demands when he brings my meals either, which I’m forever grateful for. It may not seem like much, but after over ten years of having all my control stripped from me, I’ll take what I can get.
