Page 100 of Desecrated Saints
“The last thing I said to her was so fucking cruel. I can never take that back. Phoenix nearly died and lost three fingers.” Her eyes bounce to Seven’s hand. “We’ve all suffered so much. And for what?”
I thread our fingers together. “Our freedom.”
“How can I ever be free while my mother is still imprisoned?”
Seven can’t look at her, staring outside at the downpour. I know it killed him to drag her away like that in Harrowdean. He had to choose between his sister’s murderer and the girl he loves. Leaving her mother alive was supposed to be a mercy, even if Brooklyn can’t see it right now.
“It isn’t her anymore.” Hudson winces at his words. “I’m sorry, blackbird, but the person you knew is dead. She’s too far gone to be saved. Look at what she did to Phoenix.”
“And what if I’m not Brooklyn anymore either? What if I’m destined to end up just like her?” She rubs a spot between her knitted brows. “Her sickness is in me. I’m the same as her.”
“You’re nothing like your mother,” I argue hotly.
“Do you really believe that?”
There’s a sharp rap on the window from one of our burly escorts. I roll the heavily tinted window down and bark at them to go ahead. I’m not leaving this fucking car until Brooklyn can meet our eyes again. I won’t tolerate this doubt and self-hatred for a second longer.
Tugging her hand, I drag Brooklyn into my lap. She ends up straddling me in the spacious car. Ignoring both Hudson’s and Seven’s interested gazes, I tip her head up with a single finger under her chin.
“You’re going to listen to me and listen well,” I demand with fire. “This is the last time I’m going to explain this to you.”
“Kade—”
“Listen to me, Brooklyn West. You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met. You’re fucking crazy, you drink far too much, swear worse than Nix’s batshit Nana, and resort to violence far too quickly.”
Her lips part, almost reaching a smile.
“I have zero clue how we’re going to straighten out the shit in your head.” I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “You’re fucked up, unstable, and sometimes, you scare the hell out of me. That’s the truth nobody wants to tell you.”
Tears shine in her eyes. “I told you to let me go. You still can.”
“Shut the fuck up. I’m not done.”
Unable to help myself, I let my palm slide up her bare leg. She’s wearing a short black dress, which exposes her creamy thighs as it rides up. Despite the funeral taking place across the road, my cock hardens beneath her.
“My life hasn’t been the same since you walked into it.” I graze my lips against hers. “You insisted on trying to kill yourself rather than be saved. I’ve been terrified of losing you since. Every single one of us is wrapped around your finger. We love the bones of you.”
“Damn straight,” Hudson reiterates.
Seven is silent, watching us very closely.
“Whatever it takes, we will save you now, and every time in the future,” I finish, my own voice faltering. “If you need to be Patient Eight, we will still love you, because you’re one and the same. Good and bad. That’s the girl I love.”
“How can you love someone like me?” she whispers. “I’ve hurt so many people.”
Hudson takes her spare hand. “You were the first one to treat Eli like a human being. You saved Phoenix when he lost his sobriety last year.”
“You brought my brother back to me and showed me how to survive after what… what my father made me do.” I shudder at the memory. “You wouldn’t let me push you away, no matter what.”
“You forgave me for the most evil, disgusting thing a person can ever do to someone they love,” Hudson adds shamefully. “Despite everything, you chose to give us a future. Together.”
On the curb outside the church, hidden in our own private bubble, we offer our heathen souls for judgement. Brooklyn can’t look at either of us, her tears hitting my pressed white shirt as she struggles to breathe.
“You taught me… how to be human again.”
Seven’s voice is so quiet, I almost miss it. He’s staring outside at the torrential downpour, frowning at his own distorted reflection. Brooklyn’s head finally lifts to seek him out.
“I was dead before I met you.” He lets their eyes collide. “You could’ve left me to rot in that basement. I deserve it more than anyone. I’ve hurt innocent people, tortured them and taken their lives.”
