Page 82 of Unhinged

He rubs his jaw. “What do you think, beautiful?” he asks, looking at Blake. “Do you want to leave?”

I notice the obvious flash of indecision in Blake’s eyes. She’s been here for weeks, beaten down and broken. She should be jumping at the idea.

And then she turns to Gaston. She says something, but it’s too quiet for us to hear. He leans toward her and whispers in her ear. And then, when he pulls back, I’m surprised to see the anguish in his eyes.

Gaston straightens, still holding Blake’s gaze. There’s a brief silence before he finally says, “You can go, beautiful.” His voice is rough and strained.

It’s not the response I was expecting. I study Gaston, noticing how his eyes never leave Blake and the raw pain he’s poorly concealing.

Against all odds, Gaston cares for her. Really cares for her beyond the possessive obsession I noticed in the basement when he saw her. He wants her. She’s more to him than an object, a possession to be flaunted. Yet, he’s letting her go. Letting her walk away from him despite everything.

Blake gives him one last glance, a frown marring her beautiful features before she approaches us.

Blake pauses momentarily, glancing at Gaston over her shoulder. Something unspoken passes between them, a silent, final goodbye. “Thank you for letting me go,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible.

Her tone is clear, full of quiet gratitude and an undercurrent of sorrow. This moment, this act of mercy from the man who had been her captor, marks the end of a chapter in her life. It’s an admission that despite the circumstances, Gaston had grown to care for her in his own complex way, and she for him.

Once inside the sanctuary of the elevator, with the metal doors firmly shut behind us, Blake finally breaks. A tremor runs through her, and then she’s crying. The sobs make her body tremble while her tears fall like rain down her sun-kissed cheeks. Alice immediately pulls her into a warm, comforting embrace, holding her firmly as she crumbles in her arms. The silent strength of Alice’s support is apparent, and she has become an anchor for Blake in this turbulent storm.

I stand there, somewhat shocked. I hadn’t expected that rescue to be so easy or that Gaston would just let her go. When we get to the ground floor of Elysium, we walk onto the sidewalk, only to be stopped by a chauffeur. “Mr. Marques has arranged for me to take you to the airport.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

His jaw clenches. “Mr. Marques doesn’t explain himself to me.”

“Because I’m coming with you,” a deep, velvet voice speaks behind me.

I turn around to find Gaston standing with baggage in his hands. “What the fuck?”

Blake steps forward. “What do you mean you’re coming? I thought you said?—”

“I’ll win you over back in your country. Where you feel most comfortable.” There’s a dark flicker in his eyes. “I love a challenge, as you know, bella.” He tilts his head. “Not to mention, you look pretty torn over parting with me anyway.”

Alice shakes her head. “She’s upset because of the trauma you put her through!”

Gaston ignores her. “Is that what she said?”

“She doesn’t need to,” Alice says.

I draw in a deep breath. “You coming wasn’t the deal.”

Gaston smirks. “I didn’t make any deal. I merely said Blake is free to go, and she is, but I’m going too.”

Blake growls. “You’re unbelievable.”

His smirk only widens. “I know.” And then he gets into the back of the limo, looking at us expectantly.

Alice shakes her head. “Can’t we ignore him and go in our taxi?”

Gaston clears his throat. “Do it. I dare you. See what happens.”

I growl. “You better not be threatening my girl.”

His smirk grows. “I knew you had a thing for the gringo when I was looking at them. I must admit, it tempted me to mess with you.” He shrugs. “But I couldn’t resist my beautiful angel.”

Blake flushes a little at the use of that nickname.

“Get in,” he demands.

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