Page 73 of Deadly Little Hearts
Alec chasing me around the room before tackling me onto the rug.Playing board games until the early hours of the morning.Mom cuddling us to sleep on the couch, telling us stories.Tears fall down my cheeks as I’m taken back to the best memories of my life, before everything changed.Before the ground was ripped from under our feet, all thanks to Nadine.For giving Mom the drug that changed everything.
Dominic’s hand lands on my shoulder, his breath lingering as he moves in close, but I don’t dare move.“Aww, Freya, is this all too much for you, doll?”
I take in a deep breath and exhale before rolling my shoulders and barging past Dominic.I’m done playing his games; I need answers.
Wiping away the tears staining my cheeks, I face him.“Shut up and tell me what you’re planning here,” I snap.
The corner of Dominic’s stupid fucking mouth lifts.“I always loved them feisty, and here she finally is.”Dominic grins, and I roll my eyes.“Mia, lead the way to my office, won’t you, darling?”
Mia’s throat bobs before she turns and walks down the corridor, her hands shaking.I follow her, watching Dominic closely over my shoulder.One wrong move, and we won’t make it out of here alive.We have to get back to Lucas.As much as I love Kai, I don’t trust that he won’t hurt him.They hate each other more than anything, and with Lucas left under Bear’s wing?Who knows what fucked-up things are happening to him.
My fingers run along the familiar white-and-blue floral wallpaper.Pieces crumble in my fingers, and I have to look away.I remember helping Mom put the wallpaper up on the walls; we had music blaring, and she had no idea what she was doing, but she did it.I passed her the pieces and watched in awe as she worked.She sang, laughed, and gave me treats.I’d almost forgotten about those days—the good days.When everything turned to shit, I tried to hold on to those good times, but they eventually vanished.
I follow Mia to the last room down the hallway and stop just outside the door.My fingers grip to the doorframe, my pulse quickening and my breaths coming out in short bursts.My old bedroom.Where my single bed once stood, with my red-and-black checkered duvet, now stands a dark wooden desk.
Heat hits my back, Dominic’s breath tickling my neck, and I want to move away but I can’t.My feet won’t budge.They’re planted to the ground.
“When I took over this place, I just knew this was going to be my favorite room,” Dominic whispers in my ear.
He grabs my shoulder, and I’ve had enough.I stumble forward, out of his reach, moving next to Mia.She stands, looking between Dominic and me, her face neutral, showing no emotion.
I breathe in and out through my nose, picturing all the ways I want to kill him.Rip his heart out and stomp on it for everything he’s done to me, to my mother and the guys.He’s a monster, and I can’t stand being in his presence any longer.
“You sold weapons to the Hood.How could you betray your precious Brotherhood?”I ask, pushing down the bile rising up my throat and locking down the old memories that want to resurface.We need to survive.
Dominic laughs, moving into the room and stopping right in front of us.“That’s a big accusation, Freya—something that could start a war.”
I cross my arms over my chest.“Just admit it and hand the guns over before it’s too late.They have Lucas.”
He scoffs.“Even if I did, what makes you think I’d be happy to pay my dues just to save one of the boys who betrayed me?”
“Well, what are you gonna do?Kill your own son?”
“No.”Dominic grins.An evil glint flashes in his eyes, and my heart skips a beat.
Two guards move through the doorway, carrying automatic rifles, and block our exit.
Dominic steps forward, and I retreat until my ass hits his desk.
He licks his lips, his gaze moving up and down my body.A shiver rolls through me.
Shit, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
Chapter 38
Gage
We’vegatheredfiftyofour old and the best of the newest recruits.Now, we’re grabbing the last of our weapons.With the last shipment being low, thanks to Dominic, we don’t have what we need.
“Get the transport ready, and I’ll get Freya and Mia,” I say, grabbing my phone and keys from the office table.
“Freya shouldn’t come, it’s too dangerous,” Hazen says.
I shake my head.“You know our girl.She won’t let us leave without her.We need her with us, to know she’s safe.”
He releases a loud exhale.“Fine.Meet you out front in ten.”
I leave, moving out of the office, then through the training center, keeping my head down, staring at my boots.I’m worried about Lucas, and the longer it takes us to sort this mess out, the more my chest constricts.We need to make sure we have enough manpower to confront Dominic, just in case he did anything reckless.He’s unpredictable, and we can’t afford any more losses.
