Page 21 of Saviors

“We’ll get the truth out of her.” Reid shattered the silence. His voice holding the fury I felt.

Susan’s brows pinched. “That’s not what she needs. She needs to heal. She needs family.”

“We’re her family now.” There were was a conviction in my words. A sincerity that came from deep inside. It was primal. An instinct. I’d known it the first time I saw her. She was ours.

“What?”

My gaze flicked to my brothers, looking for confirmation. For understanding. They had to feel it, too.

We were close. Always in sync. The decision couldn’t be mine alone. I couldn’t be the only one who felt this.

Maverick nodded. “We’re her family.”

Susan had a look of skepticism on her face. “I don’t think the three of you are equipped to—.”

“Did I ask your opinion?” She didn’t cower under Maverick’s glare, but the fight left her eyes. She knew her place.

We liked and respected her, but in the end, all that mattered was us. Violet was family now. We’d protect her with everything we had.

Reid was suspiciously silent. He was mistrustful because of his past. But if he could accept Maverick and me, he would embrace Violet.

“She’s ours.”

I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince.

12

Reid

My eyes scanned the numbers on the screen, but my mind wasn’t processing any of it. My thoughts were up a flight of stairs, down a hall, and through the wood door. Focused on a fair skinned, dark-haired beauty who was flipping our lives upside down.

We’d known her two nights. Barely spoken two words to each other. And now she was all I could think about.

What was she doing in there? What had happened to her? What was she thinking? How were we going to put her together again? Would she let us?

“Reid?” Connor’s voice cut through my thoughts. I set down my phone to look at my brothers. He was seated at the kitchen table next to me; beside his plate, he’d laid out a game of solitaire. I didn’t understand how he could play it over and over, but I’d stopped arguing it years ago.

“Hmm?” I scooped another forkful of eggs into my mouth, pretending that I was listening.

“Violet?” Maverick gave me a pointed look as he chugged his protein drink. My lip curled in disgust. How did he survive on that? It tasted like chalk.

“I told you, she can stay until she’s ready to go.” Standing from the six person table, I walked past the kitchen island to place my dishes in the sink. I leaned against the counter to stare back at Connor, still seated. The cards in front of him were dark from years of use.

The midday sun was shining bright through the patio doors behind him. Since we worked late, this was our usual time to wake. We often didn’t get home till four or five in the morning.

“She’s ours.” Maverick glared from his position on the other side of the island. The kitchen was modern, with gray cabinets and black marble countertops. We’d bought the place soon after I’d taken control of my inheritance.

Behind Maverick were the stairs with a wrought-iron railing that led to five bedrooms and baths. On this level, to the right of the kitchen, there was a foyer, front living room, and my office. To the left of the kitchen, in the back of the house, a vast living room was located. Big enough for a sectional, a pool table and bar.

Retractable doors opened to a patio and private backyard. We’d installed a pool and hot tub, but work kept us from using it.

The entire house was done in shades of gray and black. We’d let some designer Mav was fucking decorate it. Not as fancy as others, but more than any of us ever had.

“I know you want to believe that. But she’s not for us.”

I thought of Violet’s wounded green eyes. Imagined all she’d been through. She deserved more than this. More than this fucked up heart we all shared. More than the monsters we’d become.

None of us were whole. We only had enough pieces to keep each other together. None to spare. She shouldn’t settle for that.

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