“I’ve seen a lot, Angel, because I’ve done a lot. I was a monster once, still am. You all helped me without knowing the details of all I’d done. And trust me, you still don’t know the atrocities I’ve committed. You saw me as a victim once, and I was, sure. But I was also the predator. I didn’t know most of the time if the people I was killing deserved it, or what they did. They pointed—I killed. And yet you’d stand up for me, beside me, with me if I needed it. Phoenix has never hurt anyone. He was a dancer who brought joy to the world, and he deserves to be ableto live without fear. This monster you speak of takes his victims when they are alone. Do you think if he comes here, he won’t be met with more than he can handle? I hope he does walk through that door, because I’d happily break every bone in his body while he was still awake to feel it.”
Holy shit.I stared wide-eyed at Four, who hadn’t raised his voice once. Angel was just as shocked, and I was sure everyone else in here was as well.
“Now.” Four turned and faced the room. “Let’s vote.”
It was unanimous.
CHAPTER FOUR
Phoenix
I was right;they gave me shoes. I didn’t recognize them, but Hazel said they were top-of-the-line Jordans. Hazel was signing discharge papers, and I half listened as the doctor explained that while all my tests had come back saying I was healthy, they wanted to keep an eye on me and do blood work…blah blah blah.
Hazel nodded and told them all the things they wanted to hear. Some psychiatrist or therapist was going to meet us at some safe house when I got there to introduce herself. I didn’t much care, but Hazel had at least told me that cops and doctors wouldn’t be roaming around all the time.…This place was some sort of high-tech mansion with amazing security, and the people living there were in the business of dancing with the devil and then beating the shit out of him…something like that.
Nothing really mattered, and it was pointless to explain that. He’d find me and take me if he wanted. He used to tell me that I was his to do with as he saw fit, and if I ever got away he’d procure me—there was that word again.
“Thank you, Doctor.” Hazel handed the clipboard to her with the discharge papers and smiled at me. “Ready to go?”
I wasn’t ready for anything, but getting out of this hospital sounded good. I nodded and grabbed the sweat shirt I’d been given. I wasn’t sure if it was cold out, but it was soft and I liked it.
“Now, there are three guys waiting for us downstairs. They live in this house we’ll be staying at. Lizzy said they are the best, and they’ll make sure you’re safe until this whole thing is done.” Hazel grabbed the small bag I had, and we walked out of the room.
There were five officers lining the hallway and at the end, by the elevator, was Agent Rose. Hazel sighed but kept on moving.
“Ms. Briar, I have to protest on you and your brother staying at these strangers’ house.”
“They’re not strangers, Agent. You said it yourself—the house is impressive and safe.”
He pursed his lips. “Yeah, it is, and I did a little background on these Saint brothers and some of the others living there. It’s odd.”
Hazel hit the Down button and lifted a brow. “Odd, how?”
“Odd because for how their backgrounds read, I can’t figure out how I’d never heard of them.”
The doors opened and we stepped in, Agent Rose too.
“They’re some sort of elite security guys is what Lizzy told me. She works for them. Did it ever occur to you that they are so good that nobody really knows them? Isn’t that the point?” Hazel glanced at me briefly, likely checking to see if I was okay.
“I will be coming by every day to?—”
“Now, wait a second. I explained to you that you’re going to give Nix time. You come by daily, and we’re going to have a problem.”
“We already have a problem,” Agent Rose’s eyes were hard. I could tell he really wanted to catch this guy, but I wasn’t going to be able to tell him much.
“Nix is my concern. I get that you’re cornered on this; I do. But I have to put him first.”
Agent Rose was going to say something, but I spoke first. “Tomorrow. Come by tomorrow.”
They both looked at me wide-eyed, mouths open. It would be funny if I were able to laugh at anything.
“Thank you, Mr. Briar.”
Once we reached the ground floor, we stepped out. More police were there. Didn’t they realize how obvious they made this whole thing?
By the exit stood three men who were definitely not police. One had long hair tied back, shaved on the sides, and a beard. He was huge. Like he could probably bench-press Hazel and me at the same time. Beside him was another big guy—not as tall, though. He had dark, short hair and was clean shaven, but there was something in those eyes of his. He was talking to the beast of a man, but I could tell he saw and heard everything around him. On the other side of him, there was a shorter guy with a big smile on his face. He didn’t quite fit in with the two men, but he waved the moment he saw Hazel and me.
“Hello, Hazel,” he said and looked at me. “Hi, Phoenix. My name’s JJ, and this is Gabe.” He gestured to the clean-shaven guy. “And the behemoth is my love muffin, Shepherd.”
