Page 153 of Slaughter

“I need to go home.” Another tear falls.

“You can. As soon as you get some rest,” he assures me.

“Lies.” My voice cracks again on the single word.

He reaches into this pocket slowly and pulls out a cell phone. It’s mine. He holds it out to me, and I just stare at it. “Take it.”

I look back at him and shake my head once. It’s a trap.

“You can have it back, Bunny. It’s yours. You can call anyone you want to come get you.”

I release the gun with my left hand and snatch it. I press the unlock key and see that it’s fully charged. I go to my call log and hover over the last call I had made for them to come and save me. I pause over it when I see it’s Alex. It won’t do me any good. She’s already here.

I look up at them. Tristan stands next to Alex now, watching me intently. No doubt about to jump me so I don’t shoot his brother. Avery holds out his right hand. “Give me the gun, Bunny. Come on, baby.”

A sob bubbles up in my throat, knowing I can’t fucking do it. Even when I have the chance to stop the madness, I’m too weak to go through with it. I never wanted to kill Avery. I’m not like them. I don’t need to destroy or make things bleed. I just want us to be like it used to be. If I had got a hold of a gun sooner, I would have used it to escape. But I never got that chance. I was too busy allowing them to hurt me for the cost of freedom. But I don’t want to leave. Not now. Not like this. I told him that he couldn’t change the past so I don’t know why I’m trying so hard to do it now. My eyes blink away the stinging tears and my shaking hand grows tired of holding the weight of the gun.

He wins. He always has. Always will. My mother once told me that a woman must learn her place. Each one plays a different role. And I guess without knowing it, I’ve come to terms with mine.

I place the gun in his hand and then drop my face into my shaking hands. I hear some commotion, then I feel hands on me. I jump from the contact and try to pull away, but instead, I’m swept off my feet into a strong set of arms. Then we’re lying down. I turn in the arms and bury my face into a chest and inhale, smelling Avery. My hands grip his shirt, and he rubs my back.

I begin to sob, not knowing what the hell is wrong with me. But I need to let it out. Need to cleanse my soul and heart. Because I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Will he lock me up in the cellar for punishment? Or will he send me back home to live a pointless life until I die? At this point, I’m not sure which one I want more.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

AVERY

I LEAVE MY BEDROOM ONCE she falls asleep and walk down the hall. I come to a stop when I see Tristan and Alex arguing outside of my study. Kayn stands beside them with his arms crossed over his chest. Chloe leans against the wall with her head in her hands. She still feels like shit from the car wreck. She tried to stay back in New York, but Tristan wouldn’t allow it.

“He has fucked with her mind too much,” Alex growls, pointing a finger in my direction. “She’s lost it.”

“I think we can agree she’s been this way for a while,” he argues.

“I’ve known her for years. You’ve known her for a month,” she snaps.

“I knew her long before you did.”

“You know what I mean,” Alex shouts. “A sane woman wouldn’t have pulled a gun out on a man she loves unless she felt she had no way out.”

“She did this to herself,” Tristan states.

Alex gasps at his words and takes a step into him. “She has fallen into depression, you dumbass, and it wasn’t brought on by herself.” She finally turns to face me. “You did this to her. She fucking broke down and just quit everything the moment you turned your back on her in New York. She …”

“Enough!” I interrupt her, and she shuts her mouth. She’s not telling me anything I didn’t just witness.

“Thank you,” Chloe mumbles, her head still in her hands. She drops them to her side and lifts her head. “She needs some sleep.”

“That isn’t just going to cure her.” Alex sighs.

“Why haven’t you drugged her?” Tristan asks Kayn.

He shakes his head as Chloe punches Tristan in the arm for even suggesting such a thing. “You’re right, Alex. Sleep isn’t going to magically cure her, but it’s a start.” Chloe pushes off the wall. “Sleep deprivation can have some severe side effects. Depression, irritability, and increased anxiety. She could even hallucinate.” She looks at me. “But you can help her fix it, Avery.”

I nod my head. “I’m going to.” She had finally reached her breaking point. Honestly, I’m impressed she lasted this long. All her life she’s been lied to. Back then I was the only thing that was constant and true. Until I wasn’t. But I can make it right. I can save her. I have to. If not, I’ll go crazy with her.

PRESLEIGH

I open my eyes to a brightly lit room. It’s Avery’s. Looking around, I don’t notice anything different. I yawn and stretch my sore muscles.

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