Page 95 of Pretty Monsters

Lucien and Ted call us over to their room. I don't want to think about what went on in here after Sin's comments about him liking to share. Only one bed is rumpled, and the entire room smells like sex and vanilla. It's a vomit-inducing combination, but not enough to turn me off of the donuts they went out and bought.

"Anything?" Sin asks. My heart drops thinking his plans could move this quickly.

Lucien shoves half a jelly filled donut into his mouth and shakes his head. "I reached out to an intermediary, but now I have to wait for him. I've got to be honest with you, I'm not sure I'm okay with this plan either. Never once have you had a choice in any of the shit you've done."

Sin leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees while he sits on the end of the unused bed. "That's why it has to be me. At least I have a defense."

"The only way to prove that is if I testify too. I go down either way. It should be me." Lucien looks at me, an apology clear on his face.

Just what I need, another one of the people I care about trying to leave me for my own good. I'm pissed and ready to fight the world.

"You both know how long trials take, right? What do I do in the meantime while you're both in prison awaiting trial? It's obvious neither of you think I can take care of myself, so who keeps me from being sold off to the highest bidder in this scenario?"

Ford moves to my side and drops his arm around my shoulders. "She's right," he addresses Sin and my brother. "You know how this works. The two of you will go down for a bunch of murders, and somehow Damien will get away with everything. Men like him always do. Then he'll have Raven at his disposal without either of you stepping up to protect her."

I elbow him in the side. "You're missing the point too. I don't need you all to protect me." He drops his arm and I gesture to everyone sitting in the room. Jen and Amber look like they're in shock. Shane is unusually quiet, and Jess is passed out.

"Everyone in this room has had their life turned upside down to protect me. I don't want everyone giving up their lives for mine."

It's my turn to sacrifice for them. Options race through my mind. Briefly, I entertain going back to my father, but I really don't want to be forced into a marriage. I'd go to the police myself, except, I don't have a shred of evidence. Running could be my only option, but where would I go?

I could change my look. I'd have to if I decide to run, because Sin was right, I do stand out. My waist length hair and overly large blue eyes are a combination you don't see every day. Perhaps, if I dye my hair blonde and cut it I'd be just another California stereotype. Then I could work my way around waitressing. Whatever I decide to do, it'll need to be soon, before Sin and Lucien act on their dumbass plan to protect me.

Ford steps up behind me and leans over to whisper in my ear. "Whatever you are thinking, stop it."

"I don't know what you mean," I whisper back.

"Bullshit. I know you aren't weak, and that you'll do anything to protect him, just as he is willing to do for you. If you run, I'll follow you," he warns.

Teddy watches our interaction with a discerning gaze I hadn't picked up on before. I'm not surprised Sin and Lucien didn't pick up on his true nature before. He's obviously skilled at evasion.

"Raven, can I speak to you for a minute?" he asks, rising from the bed.

I nod, because while I don't fully trust him anymore, I'm compelled to hear him out.

He moves to the door, and I follow him. Sin looks like he's going to try and stop me, but the glare I send him makes him pause.

Teddy and I walk the short distance down the walkway, and I let us into my room.

He leans against the dresser. "Lucien is going to have a hard time getting in touch with the governor, but not impossible. His best contact is someone that knows people, not anyone already in the inner circle of the task force. That will buy us time, but not a lot."

My head bobs in agreement, although I don't actually know what he's suggesting.

"I have contacts that work directly with the governor. My mother and I turned evidence against my father, or at least we were going to, but when he died—”

“You mean when you killed him,” I interject.

He shrugs. “They ruled it self-defense. Either way, they weren't necessary. We did help take down the few remaining members of his organization. It's part of the reason I am using a different last name. Anyway, I wanted to know what you would like to see happen before I tell anyone else."

"I don't want them going to prison to protect me."

He smiles like that's what he wanted to hear. "That's what I thought you'd say. Okay, here's what I'm thinking. It's similar to the plan Sin has, but instead of them turning themselves in, we give them something else."

I flop down on the bed and groan. "Sure. Why didn't we think of that? I mean, obviously there's so much evidence on my piece of shit father that finding some to hand over should be simple. It isn't like he's a career criminal or anything."

"At least you haven't lost your ability to be sarcastic," he chides. "Look, I know you're freaked out, but I do have a plan."

I lean back onto my elbows, presenting a false front of confidence. "By all means, enlighten me." I'm aware of how bitchy I sound, but the fear has chipped away at any remaining sweetness they saw in me.

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