I smirk to myself, the delicious ache between my legs a nice reminder.
Asher’s hand comes to my thigh. “It’s good to see you up and about.”
I smile back at him, my eyes lingering on his slick muscles a little longer than they should. “It’s good to be out of bed.”
I finish my breakfast as I listen to Asher and Cruz’s banter. See, you can do this, Daisy. This is a normal morning. Now that you have rid yourself of your family issues, life can only get better. Fresh start number two is where it’s at. I just needed to kill myself to have a chance. That thought is more depressing than I want it to be. But onward and upward.
Jagger stands and moves toward us, taking the head of the table, still with his laptop in his hands. “Since we’re all here, let’s get started.” His gaze settles on me in a way that sends a shiver down my spine. It’s not like the comfortable silent glances he was giving me in the hospital. This is serious, his dark eyes calculating in a way I know I’m not going to like.
I glance around the table at the other two. Asher suddenly looks uncomfortable, and the smirk has been wiped off Cruz’s face. He returns to the table, taking the seat. “On what?” I ask, not liking the seriousness now coming over all three of them.
“Daisy, in exchange for us getting you to safety and organizing your fake death, you agreed to follow my rules and do as I say.” Jagger’s lips lift just a little. This is his asshole face, the one I have come to know well. I thought nearly dying might have softened him, but nope. Today, apparently, he’s back to business. And being an asshole is the first matter.
My eyes narrow and hands ball at my sides, ready for a fight. Nearly dying might not have changed him, but I’m sure not the same girl I was last week.
“Do we have to do this now?” Cruz mumbles around his coffee. “Some of us were having a pleasant morning.”
“Yeah, Jagger, she’s still sick,” Asher agrees. “Can’t we wait a few days, help her settle in first?” He flashes me a sympathetic smile, one that does nothing to settle my nerves.
Jagger’s lips form a thin line, and I can tell he doesn’t appreciate being questioned by his brothers in front of me. In fact, by the way he just cracked his neck and the tension intensified, I would say shit just got real. “You wanted to be included in our chit-chats about you, didn’t you, flower?” He uses my nickname, but his voice is anything but pleasant.
I swallow the lump in my throat. The bastard is using my own words against me. “Yes,” I whisper, not sure I want to know what this particular chat is about. Cruz is right, I was having a nice morning, and now I’m ready to puke up my breakfast.
“Good. Let’s begin then. We have some rules you need to follow. Rules to keep you safe, and I won’t be negotiating on any of them, no matter how much you beg. One: You don’t leave my home unless you’re with one of us.” Jagger’s eyes light up with excitement. He lives for this controlling shit, and I played right into his hands by begging him to save me. But I was desperate. What other choice did I have?
Regret sits heavy on my shoulders as I glance at Cruz for help. He admitted to me he loved me, so maybe he’ll be more lenient.
Cruz locks eyes with me, and I already know I’m screwed. “No contact with outsiders. You can talk to Sloane through a phone provided to you. And I’ll sort out some way of getting you access to music, but no calls to anyone. You contact your brother and we’re all going to have trouble.”
I sit up straighter as my hackles rise. “Is that rule necessary? I hardly faked my own death so I can call home and tell them where to find me. You can trust me with a phone, I…”
Jagger clears his throat, and my attention shifts back to him. His eyes are darker now, if that’s even possible. “If I give an order, you follow it. No fucking hesitation or arguments or talk back. It’s for your safety.” His voice is softer as he says the last part, filled with raw emotion.
My eyes narrow in on him, my heart kicking up a beat as adrenaline surges through me. I thought that last week there was something new between us, a trust built between two people who nearly died together. I thought things would be different now.
My coolness toward him doesn’t stop his bossiness. He turns his attention to Asher, a challenging look in his eyes.
Asher sighs heavily, rules aren’t his thing. “You’re an asshole,” he snips toward his brother, an anger in his tone I wasn’t expecting. Every person sitting at this table knows he won’t ever challenge the boss, not on anything, even when it comes to me. “You eat, sleep, and when you’re well enough, train and work when we say. I’ll hook you up with any work stuff you need from Sloane when the time comes for us to get started on her project.” He looks away from me. “If you’re going to survive with us, you do things our way.” There is no authority in his voice like his brothers’, he seems almost defeated. He won't evenlook at me, and that hurts more than their domineering shit. He knows this is messed up, but he’s not going to do anything to stop them.
I’m sick of this shit already. Safety is one thing; this controlling shit is another altogether. “I’m not stupid. I asked to be hidden away. I can make smart choices to keep myself safe,” I spit out at the three of them. “What’s next, you’re going to sort out a screwing schedule as well?”
“Don’t push me, flower, I just might,” Jagger snaps back, his voice just as cold as mine. He’s certainly feeling more his usual self today. It’s a shame, I was starting to like him.
I throw him a bitchy-as-hell look that tells him to try me and see how lucky he’ll get. He wants to make my life hell? Well, two can play at that game. And he isn’t going to win.
His lips twitch in a way that tells me to push him. This is what he lives for.
But instead, I cross my arms protectively over my chest and deepen my glare. Does he want me to hate him? He’s going the right way about it if that’s what he’s after.
“Don’t lie to us. We will always find out, and you won’t like our punishments if you do,” Asher goes on, breaking my death-staring competition with his brother. He’s still not looking at me, and a little piece of my heart breaks.
My heart races, and I’m not sure if I should start throwing punches or run like the fucking wind. All I know is I can’t stand for this. I’ve been a pushover before, and I won’t do it again. “What the hell is this shit? Some fucking power trip!”
Cruz’s hand lands on my thigh, and I jump, flicking my furious glare back toward him. My body is so damn tense I’m close to snapping something.
“Trust is more important than anything, darlin’. Don’t keep secrets. If something is wrong, tell one of us, and we will fix it.We can’t fix what we don’t know. We all learned that the hard way last time.”
“Something is wrong. This is bullshit.” I raise a brow, challenging him. “You’re all treating me like a child. It was my choice to come here. I know I’m in danger, and I’m not going to do anything to risk my life or any of yours.” My glare intensifies.
