Somewhere along the way we’ve formed a mutual trust. They let me roam around the apartment on my own and I find that I trust them as well. More so now that I actually want to listen to what they have been telling me about my father. At first, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around the person that my father is. It was hard to see past the father I knew and see the man he really is. But what other reason would they have to kidnap me, and hold me hostage, or to keep me alive when I’m nothing but dead weight to them. I’m of no use to them now that my father wants me dead, and still they want me.
I’ve come to realize that they didn’t lie to me about my father wanting to kill me. They didn’t lie about the emails or phone conversations and though they wanted me to watch the videos of what my father had done to their family, I couldn’t stomach it and not because I didn’t believe them, but because I did and I couldn’t bear to endure that kind of pain. I understood their hate, and need for revenge. Slowly the fog around my head dissipated. I never wanted to see it before, but I should have. The warning signs were there. They were always there. I was only good enough for my father when I was doing exactly what he wanted me to.
I’m sitting on the leather couch in the living room reading a book on my Kindle that the brothers bought me when Wes enters the room. I look up from the Kindle and take in his features. There’s a coldness in his eyes that I don’t particularly like, but it’s not something that scares me. I’ve come to know when it’s best that I stay out of something. I know they won’t hurt me, punish me in the bedroom yes, but raise a hand to me, never.
There has been lots of talk about attacking my father, trying to find an opportunity, the perfect time to get to him. It’s still hard for me to digest, because even though it’s obvious my father never loved me, I did love him. And though betrayal cuts deep, loving someone that was your only parent your whole life, isn’t an emotion you can just shut off.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice just above a whisper.
“We’re going on a run,” Wes explains. I blink.
“A run? I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m not really the running type.” My response causes Wes to grin and that seems to soothe some of the worry from my knotted belly.
“Not an actual run, Princess. We need supplies. Food, medical stuff. Things of that nature.” Oh duh, that makes sense.
“Uh, yeah. Are you sure you want me to go with? I don’t want to slow you down, or anything.”
“Yes, I’m sure. We’ll pick you up some more clothing, and any other female shit that you might need for the month. If you’re good, you might even be able to get a paperback or two,” he teases obviously listening to me complain about the lack of paperbacks in the apartment.
“Okay, when are we leaving?” I purse, getting up from the couch. I’m wearing a brand new pair of yoga pants, and a T-shirt that Trey ordered off of Amazon for me. He had them delivered to a secret address since UPS doesn’t typically deliver to abandoned hospitals. I have no idea how they do their incognito stuff, nor do I want to know, all I know is that Wes picked up some supplies last week, including some of the stuff I asked for.
As it turns out, if you tell Trey enough times that you want something, he will make it happen. I’m sure if I told Wes or Declan, they would’ve done it too, but Trey operates the internet access so I figured going to him would be easier. I may have persuaded him with the use of sex as well, but he didn’t seem to mind, and nor did I.
“Now. So, go put on your sandals on so we can head out.”
“Okay,” I chirp and go to put on my shoes. When I get back, Wes is already waiting for me at the elevator. The door slides open and we step inside. He punches in the code and scans his fingerprint before the door slides shut and the elevator descends.
Nervous excitement fills my belly as we step out of the elevator and into the parking garage. I haven’t been outside of the apartment since I spent the night in the hospital, and even though the guys have been taking care of me, providing me with every single thing I need, it is nice to be able to go outside. There is nothing like fresh air, and feeling the wind through your hair.