Page 78 of Betraying Bexley

“Who knew she could be a brat,” Asher muttered. “Look, girl, the mission was always to save your life. The rest was us trying to find your bastard of a father so he couldn't hurt anyone else. Unfortunately, he did hurt someone else and they're fighting for their life in the hospital right now. So, instead of shitting on everyone who cares about you, be fucking grateful.”

“B-Be g-grateful?” Bex snorted then groaned. She hurt from head to toe. “Everything is a l-lie.”

“Your whole life has been a lie, Bexley,” Asher said. “Maybe you should consider the fact you're safe and your father is in custody right now to prove we were always trying to protect you.”

Stunned she stared at Asher. “J-Jail?”

“Infirmary in the jail, for now. He might have taken a bullet to the knee and one to the shoulder.” Asher shrugged like it was no big deal. “You can thank Noah for giving your father an ounce of the pain he's inflicted on you over the years.”

Her father had been arrested. Which meant the man fighting for his life, was the man who'd been tied up with her. Tears blurred her vision. “N-Not f-fair. Y-You're all n-not f-fair.”

“We're bastards too,” Asher agreed. “But, we'll never lie to you. We don't have to. The truth was always there. I have a feeling you knew what was going on from the beginning. I think you didn't want to go with your gut because the idea of someone being your friend, maybe falling for you, was a fairytale you didn't think you deserved.”

“D-Don't t-talk like you k-know me.”

Asher chuckled. There wasn't an ounce of humor in his voice and Bex flinched. “I don't, you're right. None of us do. I don't think you know who you are either.” He glanced at those who surrounded her. “You should know we found the letter.”

Her heart gave a hardy thump. The letter. They found the letter. Shame washed over Bex. She'd been at her lowest point when she wrote it. She didn't think she could go on any longer. She'd been bullied and abused her whole life and all she'd wanted was one person. One someone to reach out to her and tell her it would be okay. Iliana had done it the day in the bathroom all those weeks ago. Then she disappeared and Bronx came into her life along with Alé.

But, they lied to her.

“You used m-me. You're n-not m-my f-friends.” The warm wetness of her tears spilled down her cheeks. Sorrow lanced her heart. “A-A means t-to an ends.” She'd fallen for Alé and Bronx, she loved them, even though she didn't understand love, because no one ever loved her.

“We're more than your friends,” Bronx whispered, her voice filled with raw emotions. “We love you.”

“Speak for yourself,” Eito muttered. “She's a pain in the ass.” A small teasing grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Alé appeared on her right, where Mr. Aquino had been standing. “I'm so sorry, Bex. I fucked everything up. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought if I told you everything, it would alleviate my guilt. I couldn't stand the idea of everyone lying to you anymore. I decided to tell you the truth.” He blew out a breath. “In doing so, I got you hurt and kidnapped.”

Bex bit her bottom lip. She'd run headlong into her father's arms it didn't matter who said what. She'd been impulsive. Scared. She'd felt betrayed by all of them and in running she put herself in danger. “I-I n-need t-time.” She glanced around the room. “I'm t-tired.”

“Right,” Asher said. “You heard Bex. She needs to rest.”

“I'm not leaving,” Bronx snapped. “I don't care what she says. I'm not leaving her side.”

Bex stared at the girl, really saw her. Purple smudges marred her eyes from lack of sleep. Her skin was pale. Bex wondered how long Bronx had been with her. “G-go. S-sleep.”

“I'll stay,” Alé stated.

Bex closed her eyes. She didn't want him there either. She wanted to be alone. Everything was better when she was alone. She didn't have to feel anything. She didn't have any expectations when she was alone. No one hurt her when she was alone.

“You've been here the whole time, Bronx,” Mr. Aquino said. “Go. Get some sleep and something to eat. A few hours will do you good.”

“Fine.” Bronx's voice cracked. “A couple of hours.”

When the room emptied, she opened her eyes. Being back at the base sent a bolt of longing and disgust through her. There were good memories, even though it'd only been a few hours, but there was also hurt. Alé hurt her. She glanced to her right and mentally cried out in outrage. There he sat, staring at her. Why couldn't he take a hint? Why couldn't he leave her alone? She didn't want anything to do with him.

“I know you hate me, Bex,” Alé whispered. “I hate myself. I know you think I used you for sex. I didn't. I wanted you. I've wanted you from the minute I saw you in the gym when you were tripped by Sasha. You were playing volleyball. You're good at it, by the way. You'd just set the ball and then you went down.” He picked up her hand. “Getting to know you has been amazing. You're smart, shy, and when you let go, you are beautiful. I realize you don't believe me, but it's the truth.”

How long had they been at the school? How long were they watching her before someone made a move? She glanced at him. “W-why l-lie?”

“The truth. If we told you who we were, you might run, and we were afraid your father would hurt you. Moreover, if you knew the truth from the get-go would you have talked to us?” He gave her a pointed stare.

Heat spread across her face. “Touché. N-No. I w-wouldn't have. P-Punished if I-I did.” She pointed to her leg. “L-Like this.”

“Exactly. So, we went in with the understanding we'd become your friend. After we got to know you, we all wanted to protect you. However, finding information on your father was hard.” Alé shrugged. “But, you did end up helping us.” He leaned closer, brushing his lips across the shell of her ear. “Those accounts you wrote down will help save countless lives now, Bex. You're a hero, whether you believe me or not.”

She gasped. “N-No.” She wasn’t a hero. When her father stopped coming around, she should have done to someone—anyone for help. She chose to keep silent and hide.

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