Page 102 of Unbidden

I feel hands pulling my pants, but then a bright light blinds me. I can hear commotion behind me, but I can’t move.

I’m roughly turned over before a face swims in my vision. A small smile plays on my lips as I recognize Sterling.

You’re safe.

I don’t know when I started thinking about Sterling or any of the others as safe, but in that moment, I knew I would survive. He would keep me safe.

A slap in the face jerks my eyes back open. I don’t even remember closing them.

“What happened, Sage? I need you to stay with me. What happened?” Sterling is frantically talking to me as I realize we’re moving.

I can’t focus on the world around me, so I focus internally.

What did happen?

I went to work. Tinsley texted she needed me.

Oh no.

“Tinsley,” I whisper.

“What?” Sterling yells.

“Tinsley,” I try again.

My eyes become heavier as I fight to stay awake.

Find Tinsley.

I keep screaming the words, but no sound will come out.

Then the darkness overtakes me.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“She would never take drugs. I’m telling you that you’re dead wrong.” Victoria’s voice cuts through the haze surrounding my mind.

“Calm down, V. We know that. He’ll figure it out too. He has to run all his tests.” The male voice calming her belongs to Sterling.

Sterling?

My mind tries to latch on to a memory of him, but it quickly loses it.

“We’re trying to get a better understanding of her so he can find the best treatment for her,” an older, male voice reassures her. “So, you said she doesn’t do drugs. Does she drink?”

As the doctor continues to ask questions, my mind zones out, dragging me back into a black abyss.

∞∞∞

“I’m going. You need to keep your ass here. Watch her for me.” A warm male voice washes over me, almost as if I’m in a dream.

“Why? Why do you need to go? Stay here with her. She needs you. I need you. Stay.” Tinsley’s sweet voice brings my mind into focus.

“She wouldn’t want me here and you know it. She hates me, Tin Tin. The best thing I can do for her is to leave. Besides, I’m doing this for her. That kid, Asher, won’t know what hit him. I’m going to teach him what it means when you mess with a Yates.” This time, I recognize the warm voice as Reed’s.

“Oh, so you’ll claim her as a Yates but you won’t stay for her?” Tinsley whispers.

“It’s complicated. I want nothing more than to be here with her, but she made her choice. She left me. I didn’t leave her. I’ll always care for her, and she’ll always be protected by this family, so yes, she’s a Yates. She’ll receive all of the respect and protection that goes along with our name. She deserves it.”

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