Page 62 of Faith
“It’s my fault,” Nina said before her brother could fall on his sword for her. “I overheard them talking and forced them to take me.”
“Forced how?” Adam asked, his hand going to his hip.
“Whoa, no,” Monty and Zeke said at the same time. They both held their hands up and stepped in front of Nina.
“She did not force anything,” Monty said. “She’s my little sister. I couldn’t say no to her. I take responsibility for it. But shedid not threaten us or force us or do anything else to get her way. Do either of you have a sister?”
Nina stared at the four people in a standoff in front of her. Zeke and Monty were protecting her from FBI Agents because she said something wrong. Because she didn’t know what her words said to them until they reacted the way they did.
She was about to say something when Adam sighed and removed his hand from his gun.
“Yeah, I have a sister. And I get it. I’d do anything for her,” Adam said.
“Poor choice of words,” Lorelei provided, peering between the men to Nina.
Nina nodded. “I’m sorry. I wanted to see them. I… I thought we were friends. They didn’t agree.”
“I’m sorry,” Lorelei said. “And for the record, none of the locations they’ve given us have turned up anything, either.”
“So now what?” Monty asked.
“Now we try a different plan,” Adam said, looking at Nina.
“What plan?” Zeke asked.
“We offer something Gwendolyn can’t resist,” Lorelei said.
“What can’t she resist?” Monty asked.
“Getting me back,” Nina said.
All four of them turned to her, but only Zeke spoke.
“Fuck no.”
Zeke saw red.Fucking blood red with black slashes through it. Angry, evil, claw-like slashes he felt in his chest at the thought of Nina being anywhere near that monster. His chest was tight, his fists already curled, ready to attack.
“What he said,” Montgomery growled. “Not happening.”
“Look, we know—” Adam started.
“You know? You know. You know what she’s been through. You know what she had to do to survive there. You know about the drugs and the rapes and the beatings and you still think this is a good idea?” Montgomery shouted.
Everyone in the room fell silent.
Zeke was happy Montgomery said it because he felt all of it. Every word, every thought, every piece of that truth. Nina already risked her life. She already walked away and ended up in the clutches of that demon. There was no fucking way he was ever going to let it happen again.
“It’s my choice,” Nina whispered.
“You can’t possibly be considering this,” Montgomery said, turning his ire on his sister. “No. It’s not happening, Nina. I’m not going to let you.”
“You’re not in charge of me, Monty. I love you, but I need to make my own decisions. I need to be able to choose what I do.” Nina stood and faced him, her hands in tight little balls of fury that would do nothing if she swung at Montgomery. Or anyone. She couldn’t defend herself. She would be gone, disappear again, and this time, she wouldn’t call him to come get her. She’d be in the morgue. If she was ever found.
“Why this?” Montgomery asked. “Why would you risk it? Why would you even consider going anywhere near her again? You know she’ll kill you.”
“She’s going to anyway,” Nina said.
“No. No, we’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to keep you safe.” Montgomery wiped the tears from his cheeks.
