Page 57 of Their Dark Rose

Tears welled in my eyes, and I bit the inside of my cheek.

Fuck no. They wouldn’t be running out in the middle of the night to disappear on me like she had.

They owe me answers.

I gathered myself, leaning over so my eyes would be right above Mason’s blue ones.

“Are you leaving me?” My voice wasn’t as firm as I’d have liked it to be. At least I tried.

“We—”

“They’re waiting for us, Mase,” Falk quipped, looking at his brother and not me.

Mason ignored him, heading up the stairs. Finn rushed after him, and after a frustrated growl, Falk followed them. Unlike the other time when they’d asserted their control over me by standing tall and crowding my space, the three of them crouched down.

Even Falk.

The fear they’d leave just grew a million times worse. They were going to explain why they weren’t going to be my legal guardians anymore. I just knew it.

“We’re not leaving you, little rose,” Finn started, always the softer one of the three.

“There’s been a fire in one of the stores we’re renovating downtown.” Mason frowned. “The firefighters are on their way, but we have to be there too.”

My fear changed. I no longer worried they’d leave. I was terrified something would happen to them. They were the only people I ever loved other than my parents.

Mallie and Thorn would hurt me if there was no one left to protect me. I could feel it.

“Why does it have to be you, though?”

“Briar Rose, listen to me and listen carefully.” Falk took my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look at him. “This is our business. The four of us. If someone lit it up on purpose, if someone fucked with what’s ours, it’s our responsibility to find out who did it.”

Back then, his tone was harsh when he talked to me. I figured he’d been…well, himself. The guy who couldn’t stand my sight. Today, in bed, as my eyes begin to drift shut, I know better. He hated himself. Had been hating himself for years.

“Swear you’re coming back?” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted them back inside. They sounded desperate.

One day, these men would like me again, I thought. For the person I would be. Having them be kind out of pity was unacceptable.

Unfortunately, in the middle of the night, while I imagined the flames scorching their skin, I couldn’t help my voice trembling.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to miss us.” Making light out of the situation, Finn tugged on my ponytail.

“I won’t.” I swatted his hand, pinching my lips as I mimicked one of Mason’s stern expressions. “But fuck you if you die and are the reason I have to go and live with Aunt Mallie.”

Anger poured out of the three men, lashing at me. Consuming me, even though not a single word left their mouths. It scared me. It also comforted me. Their strength had been my shield, as terrifying as that shield was.

“Never,” Falk spat out.

The three of them rose to their feet, declaring the conversation over. My eyes bounced between Finn’s lip ring, Mason’s pinched tight lips, and Falk’s furrowed brow.

They were going, and I didn’t have a say in the matter.

Once again, fuck them.

“Be here in four hours, or I’m burning down the house.” My fake bravado was a joke. I clung to it anyway. I spun on my heel and stomped into my room. “Then you’ll just have to come back.”

“Fucking teenager,” Falk muttered.

I ignored him.

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