Marcus
I'm already annoyed and I'm not even in the kitchen yet. From the sound of the voices and smell of coffee already brewing, I know Hunter isn’t in the kitchen alone, which means Elliott is in there with him.
I don't know what came over me last night. The minute I heard the screams vibrate through the walls, I ran. I wasn't asleep because I was typing away on my computer, not able to crack into the system once again. When I got to her room I pushed the door open to see her thrashing around, crying through her closed eyes, and her screams were heart shattering. I wanted to go to her, to wake her up. I wanted to be able to do what Hunter was able to do.
But I couldn't.
Instead, I stood there like a fucking idiot having his own fucked up flashbacks. I saw her there but my mind was stuck inthe past, the way I couldn't move my own body most nights, how my screams were left unheard. I wanted someone to come save me so badly back then. Watching Hunter be that person for her eased my guilt of not going to her, but it wounded my own soul knowing he could be that person for a practical stranger, and I never had that from the people who weresupposedto love me.
I round the corner to the kitchen and see Elliott on the stool with Hunter standing right next to her. He pushes a strand of hair out of her face and I watch her whole body tense up. He drags his hand away and I don’t miss the hurt in his eyes at her reaction. He’s trying to play it off like it's not a big deal, but I know Hunter better than he would like me to.
I saw the way he went to her last night, the way he pulled her in close and even in the darkness of Kam's room, I saw his eyes light up when she reached out for him. He felt something just like Kam did. I don't know to what extent but I knew it was something, seeing his reaction to her withdrawal just now only proves my point.
What the fuck does this woman have, to make all the men I love fall at her feet?
"Good morning, Flores." He smiles at me as he walks over to the coffee machine and pours me a mug full.
"Mornin'." I walk to the fridge, grab my creamer, pour some in, and put it backon the shelf.
"I was just talking to Elliott about getting her some new clothes. I think she needs more than just a couple of sweatpants if she is gonna be staying with us."
"I can order some online, just let me know what you want or need." I direct my words towards Elliott, keeping my back to her. “Also, Raf sent a message, telling me to let you know that your test results are clear.”
"Thanks." She replies in a hushed tone. I peek over my shoulder at her and see she’s shifting in her seat, looking uneasy. Shouldn’t she be happy the infection is clearing up?
"I thought we could all try to talk again? Are you up for that, Elliott?" Hunter says beside me now, changing the subject.
"Sure." Her eyes flicker between us, and I watch as her pupils widen and her bottom lip tucks into her mouth.
"Then let's talk." I state.
I need this over with, I’m pretty sure she does too. More than any of us.
15
Elliott
I don't have the mental energy to go over this over and over. I spill everything. It all tumbles out of me quicker than I can draw in a breath.
I tell them how I was supposed to become someone's Chosen wife. How Lianne was already given to her promised husband years ago. I talk about how I felt trapped in that house with the Donovans, the way Mr. Donovan fell ill and passed away before Samuel claimed me as his at the funeral.
It took everything in me to keep talking when I got to Samuel and my cleansing ceremony. I didn't look up once from the coffee mug in my hands. I couldn't risk breaking down from the pity in their eyes.
The naive little girl who hoped for a better life.
‘Woe is me’ is the story of herlife, I fear.
I kept my voice as clear as I could as I told them all that I knew. Well…what I thought I knew. I’m not quite sure if I know much about Everton at all, now that I looked back on it.
"I didn't tell him no." My voice cracks as I finish. "And now Kam is over there with him, and I am here with you both." I shake my head, swiping the tears from my cheek with the back of my hands. "Why did you saveme?" I finally asked the question that has been on repeat in my mind since escaping. "Why me?"
I snap my gaze up to them, standing hip to hip on the other side of the island. Both of their eyes lit like flames, Hunter is gripping his coffee mug so tight I can see his knuckles turning white. I’m surprised it hasn't shattered in his hands. Marcus's jaw is ticking as he keeps his stare on me. My body instantly heats as these men look at me with such aggravation.
"Elliott." Hunter's voice is so low and deep, my arms erupt with goosebumps, "You know what he did to you wasn't your fault, right?" he clenches the mug even tighter now. "Samuel took advantage of you."
"I should have fought mo—"
"Stop. He started taking advantage of you way before then." Marcus speaks up now, "He started his sick game the minute he laid eyes on you at the foster home."
