Page 63 of Beast

One thing is for sure, I’m done being under his control. Kali and Luna are looking at me expectantly, but I smile and pull them both in for another hug. “It doesn’t matter,” I say firmly. “He’s leaving now. Let’s just focus on the four of us being together again.”

Gaston opens his mouth like he wants to protest, but I silence him with a glare. Whatever twisted game he’s playing, I won’t let him interfere with this long-awaited reunion. He has no power over me or my friends.

And to my surprise, he nods in response and turns away. I watch him walk toward for the door, looking back over his shoulder at me one last time. “I’ll see you soon, Blake,” he says with a sly wink before disappearing from the apartment.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Just having him here, even for a few minutes, put me on edge.

“Good riddance,” Kali mutters once he’s gone. She puts a protective arm around me. “Let’s have a seat.”

I sink down onto the couch, my three best friends surrounding me. Kali and Luna squeeze in on either side, while Alice settles into the armchair across from us.

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I was so scared I’d never see any of you again.”

Luna reaches over and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “We were terrified too. But Taren... he saved us.”

I glance over at Taren, who’s busying himself in the kitchen. “Taren?” The name feels foreign on my tongue. The last time I saw him, he was one of our captors.

Alice nods. “He helped us escape. He promised to help me save you, too.”

I furrow my brow, trying to make sense of it all. “But why? After everything he’s done...”

Kali sighs. “It’s a long story. But the short version is, he’s in love with Alice.” She shoots a teasing grin at her.

Alice blushes and takes a sip of her coffee. “He’s been trying to protect us, in his own twisted way.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this.” My gaze drifts back to Taren, and I study him carefully. There’s a tension in his shoulders, a haunted look in his eyes. Whatever he’s been through, it’s clearly taken a toll.

“It’s a lot to process, I know,” Luna says gently. “But he really did save us. Without him, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

I nod slowly, my mind racing. So much has happened since we were torn apart. I feel like I’m barely catching up.

“And what about you?” Kali asks, her voice laced with concern. “What happened with Gaston?”

I suck in a shaky breath. “It’s... complicated.” I don’t even know where to begin. The whirlwind of emotions I’ve felt, the way Gaston has managed to burrow his way under my skin—it’s all so overwhelming.

“We’re here for you, Blake,” Alice says, leaning forward in her chair. “Whatever happens, we’re not going anywhere.”

I look around at my three best friends, feeling a lump rise in my throat. Somehow, against all odds, we’re all alive.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Kali wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a tight hug. “You’ll never have to find out again. I’m sorry you got split from us.”

I melt into her embrace, letting the comfort of my friends wash over me. For the first time in weeks, I feel safe. Whatever lies ahead, I know I don’t have to face it alone.

“There’s something else,” Luna says.

“What is it?” I ask.

Kali shuffles next to me uncomfortably.

Luna clears her throat. “Matias and Thiago are here in Providence.”

I stiffen at the mention of Matias. The man who took advantage of me in those cells. “What? Why?”

“Taren has assumed control of the Navarro Cartel and Thiago and Matias are helping oversee the operations State side,” Alice says.

“Great,” I say.

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