Page 42 of Fate Awakened

“Fine, but know, I’ll leave you to die if it means saving her. Do not expect anything more.”

Oh, I won’t.

Fuck Cain. I’m going to find her. I’m going to save her. And then I’m going to protect her from all of this. I’ll start by getting her away from all of them.

I'm coming, Elle. Hang on.

Chapter 16

Bri

Thesmellofcoffeewafts into the room, stirring me from sleep. Rolling to my side, I reach for my nightstand to grab my phone. Sliding my hand out before it falls through the air, I realize the nightstand isn’t there.

I jolt awake, throwing myself up and looking around frantically, coming to the truth that I‘m not at home.

Shit!

I fell asleep. The sun streaks in around the edges of the curtains revealing that night has come and gone, my escape lost with it. I squeeze my eyes shut, sighing at my stupidity.

How could I have fallen asleep?

My eyes glance at the now vacated cream blanket in the corner, noting Snowball is no longer lounging there. Crawling out of the plush bed, I immediately fix the covers. Old habits die hard.

A made bed starts the day off on the right foot.

I’m sure they’ll be so happy I made the bed that they’ll just let me go. Ha.

Tiptoeing out of the room, I sneak into the bathroom, relieve myself and splash some water on my face before stealing some of the toothpaste and using my finger to brush the stale taste of the last day out of my mouth. Feeling better, my nose guides me back to the kitchen, aiming for the coffee pot.

Hudson sits at the counter with a plate of food in front of him, and Ghost is back in the kitchen cracking eggs into a pan. He doesn’t even turn around before addressing me.

“Morning, City. Sleep ok?” His southern drawl out in full effect. I roll my eyes waltzing right to the coffee pot before opening all the cupboards in the area, looking for a cup.

“Oh, you know, as good as can be expected under duress,” I reply, growling at the lack of coffee cups. Warm hands grip my shoulders gently, causing me to tense slightly before they turn me and push my feet to walk to the seat at the counter farthest from Hudson. I grind my teeth, not appreciating being forced away from the coffee.

“How’d you like it, darlin’?” he asks.

“Cream and sugar, and don’t call me darlin’,” I state, putting on his accent with the last word.

“Apologies, City. I forgot. You have a sort of, not anymore, boyfriend who may object.” He chuckles, making air quotes with his hands, adding half & half to my cup before stirring it and sliding it in front of me.

“I don’t have an anything. And I don’t need someone to object to your pet names. Just because you look like that, doesn’t mean you get to flirt with everyone,” I snap, sliding my hands around the warm cup.

“All I’m hearing is that you think I'm hot, and for the record, I’m not flirting with everyone. I haven’t turned my charm on for Hudson here. How do you like your eggs?

“Unfertilized,” I quip, laughing at my joke. “Scrambled is fine, thanks,” I correct myself, clearing my throat, forgetting I’m not supposed to be comfortable here. I take a long drink from the cup he made me, groaning at the sweetness.

Caffeine can fix everything.

“So what's the plan for today, Hudson? Am I going to be sold off in exchange for whoever you’re trying to save?” I ask, no kindness in my voice. I have none for him.

My eyes slide over to where he sits, noticing the dark circles. I try to force myself to care that Hudson has his reasons behind why he's doing this, but I can’t get past the fact that he’s offering me as a sacrifice when he could make a million other choices.

It isn’t my fault he got into trouble. Maybe he could try working off his debts.

“We meet with Tony at 3 pm,” he says, not looking at me.

“You’re going to turn her over to him?” Ghost asks concern etched on his face.

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