Page 176 of Losing Faith

“Let’s get this over with.”

Sage gives me a knowing look, but I don’t apologize for the attitude. I don’t like being cornered and I want to get out of here.

August sits on the coffee table in front of me, his usual lighthearted expression gone. “We’re worried about you, Lisette.”

“I’m—”

“Don’t say you’re fine.” He sends me a weak smile. “We’ve been through too much together. We know you too well. You’re not fine, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. We just want to help you.”

“Okay, thank you. Is that all?” I try to stand but go still when Sire lets out a scoff, a smile tugging at his lips. “Is something funny?”

His eyes meet mine and a bitter smile is on his face. “I told them we were going to have to do this the hard way and they wouldn’t listen.”

I glance around the three of them. “What’s the hard way? Because I’m not going to rehab and you’re not—”

“We’re not going to force you there.” Sage takes hold of my hand again. “If you don’t want to go, then we won’t force you.”

I focus on her before pulling my hand away. “So what’s the hard way?” I push.

Sire leans his elbows on his knees as he focuses on me. “Let’s skip the ultimatums, Lis,” he starts. “You’re going to be on a cute little house arrest for the next few weeks, rotating between all of our houses until we decide you’re okay on your own. We’ll go to meetings like a happy family and you’ll start therapy. In three months or so, you’ll be so happy you decided to listen to us.”

I let out a laugh, but when none of them smile, I realize he’s being serious. “You’re joking.” My laugh sobers as I look between all of them.

“I wasn’t asking.” The weight of his words hang over me and I shake my head at him before standing.

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You do,” he counters.

“I don’t needtherapy.”

“You need to beseverelymedicated if you actually believe that.” He rolls his eyes at me.

“Sire,” Sage bites out as August shoves his arm.

“You two are just as delusional.” He turns to the twins. “You’re both too damn nice and this isn’t going towork. We can’t kill her addiction with kindness and I’m honestly getting tired of this shit.”

I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off, but I go still at his words. “You’re gettingtiredof me?” I let out a scoff and he runs a hand down his face as he leans back.

“Not ofyou, Lis. I’m tired ofthemthinking this nice approach will work.”

“You said you had faith in me,” I remind him of his lie.

“I do. I have faith that this plan will work if you let us be your crutch. You don’t have to do this alone. Stop torturing yourself.” He stands from his seat but I take a step back before putting a hand up between us.

“I don’t want to be cornered, Sire. I don’t want to be monitored and hovered over. You all shouldn’t have to stop your lives to do that for me.”

“We want to,” August starts gently, rising from his seat and my panic rises as both boys walk closer to me.

“Stop!” My scream bounces off the walls and they both freeze. “Do not come closer.”

“Lis.” Sage stands from the couch next. “I promise you, we’re not going to take you to rehab.”

“So stay where you are.” I take another step back. “We don’t need to talk two feet away from each other and you don’t need to touch me.” My heart pounds in my chest as I look between the three of them frantically. Slowly, August takes a step back, but I watch Sire as he stays standing in place.

“Let me leave,” I plead.

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head once before I make a run for the door. Just as I reach for the handle, his arms come around me.

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