Page 39 of Tainted Truth

“What’re you doing up, Angel?”

My voice lowers to a whisper. “How did you get that?”

Asher shows no emotion while Rio makes his way to me. He reaches for my hand, but it’s too much. I slip out of his grasp and speak more clearly. “How did you get that?”

Rio gulps audibly. “We found him.”

“And he just let you walk away? He shot at all of you, for heaven’s sake! What made you think this was a good idea?”

Oh my God.

I grip the banister for balance. “Promise me you won’t go near him again. Please.” I look each of them in the eyes, and they all give me the same look.

They’re going after him.

My grip on the banister turns my knuckles white, and blood rushes in my ears.

“Spencer?”

The room fades away as an old familiar one surfaces. Expensive marble countertops, polished tiles, top-of-the-line appliances. The smell of cigars wafting through the air and lasagna in the oven fills my nose.

I’m not there. This isn’t real.

“Spencer? Angel? Talk to me.”

Glass breaking. Two gunshots.

I’m not there. I got out. I’m never going back.

“Princess!”

My eyes snap open and I’m no longer hanging on to the banister. Instead, two large hands cling to mine. They’re warm and rough.

Three large bodies surround me. Three bodies that have done nothing but make me feel safe. Even when I found them in the basement, I knew they wouldn’t hurt me.

I’ve always known that.

“Mama, look at me.” A bronze hand with black ink guides my chin to the right to look up into a bright face.

Rio.

“Talk to us.”

Tears spring in my eyes. “I can’t. I can’t go back there.”

“You’re not alone this time, Angel.” Zane’s cedar scent drifts to me from my left, and something in my chest settles.

Peering up at Asher, who still has a hold of my hands, I wet my lips and shake my head. “I?—”

He drops my hands and takes a step back. “How long are you going to lie to us?” His tone is deep.

“What? I haven’t lied about anything!” My pulse increases, and my face flushes.

This frustrating behemoth is going to make me explode.

“You’re not telling us everything—or anything at all! If you really wanted to keep everyone safe, then you’d tell us what we’re up against.” His chiseled jaw visibly tenses.

Explosion incoming . . .

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