“But... I fucking love you. You were the first one to steal my heart. I miss you. All I’m asking is for time to work through this. I won’t freeze you out, but I’m not ready to have sex yet.”
I throw myself into her arms and I rock her, kissing her hair and face. “Malishka, I don’t need sex from you right now. Just this—this sustains me. Thank you. I love you so very much. I'll work to earn your forgiveness.”
I close my eyes, letting the contact with her fill me back up. It's time we stand together to fight, and being by her side is everything.
Razor
Was that Ghost that just went into the bathroom with Fiasca? Oh crap... I need to make sure he doesn’t get his throat cut or something.
I pause outside the door, listening. There are soft murmurs, but no yelling. Thank fuck. I wait a beat, then let myself in. “Hey, you guys okay in there?”
Fiasca yelps loudly. “Dammit, Razor, what the fuck? We're fine!”
“Really?” I drawl. “Room for one more?”
“Ugh!” she screams, throwing something at me from behind the curtain. I just manage to dodge the bottle of shampoo. “No! No sex, with any of you!”
“What about naked wrestling?” I smirk to myself. She'll forgive me, I just know it.
“For fuck’s sake!” The curtain is ripped open, a naked Ghost stepping out, shaking his head. He dries off, putting his clothes back on.
“Good luck,” he tosses over his shoulder, then leaves us alone.
“I don’t forgive you, asshole,” Fiasca yells. “I'm sick of explaining this!”
I put my arm up and wave an invisible flag. “I hear you, Fiasca. Can I earn it? I want you back. I didn’t realize until the end that I fell for you. I... love you. I've never said that to a single woman, ever.”
She sighs heavily. “I fell for you, too—all of you. But you will not be back in my bed. Give me time, okay? I don’t hate you.”
“Yeah, baby, I can do that. I'll let you finish up. See you in a few.” I leave the bathroom, my heart filled with hope.
Soon, Fiasca... soon.
Chapter 36
Synn
I'm still reelingfrom the revelations we’ve all learned. How can I ever forgive myself for handing that innocent girl to yet more abusers?
I shake my head to clear it, determined to plan this escape. We'll need all-hands-on-deck for this. I'm glad we have that ZYGOS team on board. The more the merrier. Especially since we’ll have somewhere safe and secure to hide out once we’re out.
I've collected everyone’s phones and am crossing the courtyard now. I will dispense of them in a random part of the forest. Deep enough to annoy our fathers should they come looking.
Once I reach a decent spot, I turn them all off, after checking to make sure the location is off as well. I yank out the SIMs, crushing them all beneath my heel. I grab as stick lying nearby, digging a hole in the ground. I dig far enough to toss in the phones, then cover them back up. I put a few leaves and sticks on top to hide the freshly dug dirt.
My thoughts go right back to my father. How the fuck did he keep my Pazessca as a prisoner for fuck knows how long? Under my damn nose!
Even though the basement was always locked, I mentally berate myself for not ever going down there alone. The times I did see it, it was empty. No people—certainly, no little girls. When I saw Pazessca, it was in one of my father's little playrooms.
I grind my teeth to the point of pain as I think of all the creative ways I can kill the pedo bastard. I want to draw it out, give him every ounce of pain he inflicted on Pazessca and me. Actually, she’s the one who gets first dibs. This kill is hers first. If she wants it, I'll gladly step back.
I still hear the echo of her calling me Hoodie Boy. She really thought of me all these years? Her whole life, I’ve been in her heart. Though she didn’t know until now it was me.
I smile a bit, loving my girl’s fire. It's something I plan to stoke high. I want our demons to play together.
Time to track her down for that conversation she asked to have.
Trikk
