Page 101 of Captive of Outlaws

“I was around thirteen when I started having my...” I wiggle a hand in the air. “Whatever they are. I always thought it was triggered by the stress of my parents dying, but—”

I stop myself short. Just saying that out loud reminds me why I’m here.

I push that thought away. Just a little longer, I bargain with myself.

“I interrupted you,” I say quickly, getting to my feet. Will glances back at his desk and shakes his head.

“Not really. Just getting some of the new security stuff installed.”

My gaze drifts over his shoulder to the desk and I see four key fobs.

Just four.

Rob, Will, Tuck, and LJ.

None for Maren.

Because I’m not supposed to leave.

A shiver courses through me.

“So is that when you met Rob?” I ask. “After your family—”

“Basically,” Will says, leaning back onto his elbows. “I was slumming it in various hotels, running up my father’s corporate account until he got wind of it and cut me off. Then I met Rob, and he gave me a place to live and...something to do with my life.”

I glance back at him, but his eyes aren’t meeting mine.

I swallow hard.

“And what were you doing? Back then?”

Will frowns, looks at me. “What do you mean?”

“Before the wholesteal from the rich, give to the poorthing,” I say, compelling my voice to stay steady.

Will sits up, his eyebrows drawn. “Why do you want to know?”

“Is there a reason I can’t know?” My words are quivering now, too tense and angry to stay placid. “Is there something Ishouldknow?”

Will stands up and strides over to me in two steps, then grabs my arms gently. “Maren, you—”

“What did you do?” I say, my chin juddering as I speak. “What didhedo?”

A serious expression passes over Will’s face like a stormcloud. He lets go of me.

“Maren, I—” He searches my face, and recognition dawns. He slumps, ever so slightly. “Wait,” he says. “Waithere. Let me get Rob—”

“So it’s true,” I interrupt. “You—all of you. You’re the reason he’s dead.”

“Maren,” Will roars. “It’s not like that. It’s—”

“Then whatisit like?” I cry, barely biting back a sob. “Tell me, Will. I’m so ready for your excuse. Please.”

Panic briefly flickers over his handsome features. He spreads his hands in the air as if fixing me in place.

“Just...please, Maren, just wait here. Let me get Rob and we’ll set things straight, okay?”

I say nothing, just barely nod, and Will rushes from the room.

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