Ikeep telling myself that I did this, but it doesn’t make it easier to watch my brothers with their hands all over her. I’m still waiting for an opportunity to apologize to her—to them, appropriately. I’ve spent over fifteen hours driving to figure out exactly what to say, but I still don’t know what the words are. How do you even make up for what I’ve done? If there’s a right thing to say, I don’t know what it is.
I pull past the gate and open the garage before driving inside. Knox wakes Heather, and she looks fucking adorable as she rubs the sleep from her eyes.
“How long was I sleeping?”
Carter stares at her, his affection for her clear as day, as his lips lift into a smile.
“Both of you were out for over twelve hours.”
I exit the car and wait for the three of them before walking to the house.
Heather looks around, trying to familiarize herself with the place, but it’s hard to see out here at night. There are no lights on the exterior of the house because we don’t want to attract anyattention to ourselves. Outside of our employees who keep the house and property maintained, it stays vacant all year.
“This house is huge.” She says as we step inside.
We step across the Spanish tile, and I pull out a remote. Knox stops her from moving as the floor slides open, and I nod for them to go to the basement.
“Fancy.” She says with a giggle.
When we make it down, and I hit the remote to close us in, I explain.
“We had this house built. Basements in Arizona are rare. Less than two percent of homes here have them. So if someone comes looking for us, they won’t look down here, especially with a hidden entryway.”
She looks between my brothers as she chews on her bottom lip.
“So we are staying in a basement? For how long?”
I don’t think she realizes how much danger she’s in. If she did, she wouldn’t have a problem with the basement that has everything we will need. I have not told any of them everything Butch has found. Mainly because I’ve done enough to her, and terrifying Heather won’t calm the situation at all. It might make things worse.
“We will be staying in the basement until we go back for my fight.”
Heather places her hands on her hips, glaring at me like an angry little kitten.
“I’m not. I have been locked up and I will not be your captive, you, of all people. Also, just so you know, I’m not going back for your stupid fight. It’s a long drive, and well-”
I sigh and grin at her, making her more furious.
“What are you smiling about?” She yells as she steps closer to me.
“I missed you and your smart mouth.”
She places her hands on my chest and attempts to shove me, and I watch as her anger spikes when I don’t move an inch.
“I did not miss you. They wanted me to pray, but I only prayed for one thing—to never see you again.”
My brothers exchange a glance, all of us, except her, knowing this prayer might be granted. Both Carter and Knox are visibly worried, but I’m not. If this fight ends my life, it will be worth it. I will have made things right for all three of them before dying.
When Carter brought her into our lives, I never imagined I’d willingly give my life for hers, but now—it’s the easiest fucking thing I have ever done.
“Are you hungry, Tesoro?” Knox asks.
I wrap my hand around her wrist as I gaze at her angry expression.
“Are you hungry, Tesoro?”I say, repeating Knox’s question.
She tilts her head back and stares into my eyes, a visible shiver running down her spine.
“I am not your treasure. I’m nothing to you.”
