Page 34 of Their Dark Rose

I smiled as Mason shouted the truth at my parents, telling them to never let Mallie and her repulsive stepson come near me again.

Lastly, I watched Finn smile as he held one of his keys to Aunt Mallie’s eye and told her he better not find out this wasn’t the first time.

In hindsight, I know they’d been hanging out around our penthouse often for my sake. It’s another detail I overheard when I should’ve been in my room sleeping.

They’d never admit it to my face.

Other than instilling fear and the occasional crazy Finn smile, they’ve given me nothing.

But they wouldn’t be so understanding if I took Aunt Mallie up on her offer.

Still, even though I despise Thorn as much as my godfathers do—or did, I feel bad for declining.

My mom hadn’t just left me. She left Aunt Mallie, just the same. Their relationship might have been a turbulent one, yet it doesn’t change the fact that she was her only sister. Now, my aunt doesn’t have anyone except Thorn since we barely talk. Plus, she’s never asked me for anything. I’d be a dick to decline her offer.

Me: Thank you for the birthday wishes. I’ll text you back to set up something tomorrow.

She answers with Don’t think too long, when another message comes through.

Thorn: Happy b-day, Rosie.

Ugh, why did he have to ruin everything?

I hate the nasty nickname. The one he gave me. The one he called me when I turned seven. The day he had his fingers on the hem of my skirt, ready to rip it off.

My brows scrunch together. I haven’t talked to him in eleven years. He could be nicer. Kinder.

People change. I sure have.

Except they don’t change that much.

What he did to me, how she acted toward Mom… I can’t forgive them for that. But I can use them to my advantage. I can go over there with my men and see what they’re up to.

Yes. That I can do.

Me: Thanks, Th—

Thunder roars outside my window. The sound is deafening, shaking the foundation of the house.

I scream my head off, dropping the phone to the bed. I’ve been so focused on my past and my family that the earth-shattering noise caught me completely off-guard.

It’s too late when I clamp my hand over my mouth to silence myself.

Way too late.

Footsteps boom in the hallway. Three sets of them, by the sound of it.

Three angry men who are either here to seek vengeance or to tear me a new one for screaming over nothing.

The echo of their feet on the marble becomes louder. More ominous.

Their nearness gets to me. Frazzles me. I’m an emotional mess, my soul warring with itself.

To stay and take whatever they unleash on me, or to jump through the window and flee?

I could get away.

I don’t.

---