Page 46 of The Cousins and the Brunette

“Over the last few months, I pretended to be Shoemaker’s daughter, Elizabeth. It was the only way to survive and maybe get something better for Kay and me.”

Marla reached out, her hand covering mine, squeezing gently. Her touch was a balm to the raw edges of my guilty conscience. Kay leaned in closer to me, our shoulders touching.

“The Porters kidnapped me, thinking I was Elizabeth, and when they found out the truth, they released me.” I sighed. “When I went to Shoemaker for my payment, he refused. Instead, he had his henchmen beat me up. I thought I was going to die,” I admitted, a tremor running through me at the memory. “But the Porters nursed me back to health.”

Marla’s grip tightened. “I’m so sorry you went through that, Brynn.”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat and appreciating her empathy. “To get revenge on Shoemaker for betraying me and the Porters, we planned a heist. We broke into Shoemaker’s mansion to steal the Nant-bots. It was going well until I got caught. I narrowly escaped, but I had to leave the Porters behind. And now I…I feel so guilty for leaving them without saying goodbye.”

Marla’s expression softened. “That must have been frightening, but it sounds as if you did what you had to do.”

Kay, small and fragile, wrapped her arms around me, her embrace fierce despite her slight frame. “I’m just glad you’re safe now.”

The warmth of her body seeped into mine, and I hugged her back “Thanks, Kay. I’ve missed you so much.”

Marla stood up, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything. Take your time, and remember, you’re not alone.”

She left, and Kay and I stayed on the couch, holding each other tightly.

Kay sat back and looked into my eyes. “Brynn? You okay? You look like you just ate a bug or something. Did that jerk Shoemaker mess you up that bad?”

I sighed, tracing the line of a scar that ran along my forearm—a permanent token from Shoemaker’s goons. “It’s like every blow they landed wasn’t just to hurt me physically. They took their time, as if each hit was payment for the trust I dared to give Shoemaker.”

Kay shifted closer, her eyes wide and earnest. “You’re the toughest person ever, Brynn. Don’t let those scars freak you out. They’re just...like ugly doodles on a pretty painting.”

I smiled a little at her words. If only she knew how deep they were etched into my soul. It wasn’t just the throbbing pain or the beating that haunted me—it was the look in my attackers’ eyes. The cold detachment. It was the same look that my uncle had given us when he turned us away after our parents died. How easily people could discard what didn’t serve them.

As I sat there, the plush cushions of Marla’s couch beneath me, an echo of the Porters’ opulent world washed over me. The scent of rare wood and imported flowers, the whisper of silk curtains against marble floors—I’d walked among them, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And for a moment, a fleeting, foolish moment, I had allowed myself to desire it—the safety, the comfort. Desire was dangerous.

I closed my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. The memories of opulence and betrayal swirled in my thoughts..

Kay’s small hand found mine, her touch grounding me in the present. “Hey, you’ve got that far-away look again. What’re you thinking about?”

I squeezed her hand. “Just...processing everything. The Porters, Shoemaker, all of it.”

“You miss them, don’t you? The Porters, I mean.” Kay’s voice was soft.

I nodded, surprised by the lump forming in my throat. “Yeah, I do. It’s...complicated.”

Kay shifted on the sofa beside me. “Complicated how? They seemed pretty cool to me. They saved your life and everything. Well, except for that whole kidnapping thing at first.”

A wry chuckle escaped me. “That’s just it, Kay. They’re not like us. They live in a different world, one we’ve only glimpsed.”

I’d tasted their opulence, felt the allure of their lifestyle, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t mine. The gleaming skyscrapers and high-tech gadgets were a far cry from the gritty streets I’d grown up on. How could I ever truly belong there? Why had I ever thought I could join the Elites?

“But they cared about you, right? I mean, they took care of you when you were hurt.”

“They did,” I admitted. “But what if it’s all just to get back at Shoemaker? What if they decide we’re not worth the trouble?”

Memories of my aunt and uncle’s cold rejection flooded back, a painful reminder of why I’d built these walls around my heart. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford, not when Kay’s wellbeing hung in the balance. Yet, the Porters had shown me kindness when I needed it most. Could I really dismiss that so easily?

Kay’s brow furrowed, her expression a mix of confusion and determination. “That’s dumb, Brynn. You’re totally worth it. And if they can’t see that, then they’re the ones missing out.”

I faintly smile at her fierce loyalty. “When did you get so wise, huh?”

She grinned. “I learned from the best. Now, are we gonna sit here moping all day, or are you gonna go get your boys back?”

Her words caught me off guard. “My...boys?”

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