Page 159 of Crimson Tears

“She looks nicer than the bad men,” a small boy with tattered clothes says, gaining my attention.

“Looks can be deceiving,” an older blonde boy with bruises all over his arms says before stepping in front of the little one. I should be offended, but I’m honestly glad to see that these kids have been sticking together.

Kai looks back at me and Damien.

“They saved me. I trust them, so you should too.”

Not all of them are on board, clearly. But they’ve been through a lot, so I can’t imagine them trusting nearly anyone right now. I decide to break the ice.

“I’m Nessa,” I wave. “I work with an organization that has been looking for all of you for the past eight months. The man and woman who started all this, those who forced you into this life have been dealt with, but they hid you well. Our team is out there taking out the security guards, and we have a bus waiting to take you to a new location where food and shelter will be provided. Once you’re there, you’ll get to decide where you want to go next, and we’ll make sure it happens.”

Kai steps next to me and places his hand in mine. This time, it’s firm.

“I’m going with them, but I need to help them get the girls first.”

“We can go home?” a small boy with dark hair that falls into his face, younger than the rest, looks up at me with tears in his eyes.

I smile as I kneel down in front of his cot. “You can go home, I promise.”

His arms wrap around my neck, nearly throwing me off balance. I sigh as I wrap myself around him. He’s so small I want to cry for him.

Damien steps up next to me, and a few look at him with interest.

“We need you to stay here and barricade the door until we can make sure everyone who hurt you is either killed or captured.”

“Stiles,” Kai says, gesturing to the boy he woke first. “You’re in charge until I get back. Don’t open the door for anyone except me.”

I stand, even as the little boy protests. Kai comes up to him and lifts him into his arms.

“She will come back, okay Pokey? Stay here under your bed until we get back. Isaiah will watch over you.”

I smile at the two of them, and the little one immediately listens when Kai puts him down, crawling under his bed with his blanket.

“Who knows how to use a gun?” Damien asks Kai. One kid shakes his head, but another raises his hand when Kai looks around the room.

“Stiles and Maven. I know a little bit, but they need protection. Maven would prefer not to use a weapon but will if he’s required to.”

Damien walks up to Maven and kneels in front of him. “This is your choice, just as we promised. You can take this and use it only if you feel comfortable. But if you don’t, that’s cool too dude.”

Maven swallows and looks at the black weapon in Damien’s hand.

“To protect them,” he says softly as he picks it up and immediately checks the safety with the barrel pointed down.

It’s clear he knows how to use it, and I wonder why he is so hesitant. Damien hands his other spare to Stiles who does the same and opens the chamber to see if it is loaded.

“Eight bullets?” he guesses and then shakes his head. “No, nine with the one in the chamber.”

Damien’s grin is way too proud.

“I think you’re my favorite,” he jokes and the kid beams at him.

I look over to Kai and realize he doesn’t have a weapon. I pause, but this feels right for some reason.

“Here,” I hand Kai one of my favorite gifts I have received from Boris. If he can help us, I can use my rifle. It never hurts to have extra eyes or weapons.

“Thanks,” Kai breathes. “It’s really pretty.”

I smile. “Her name is Jessica, and she’s got a strong kick. Hold her tight for me, okay?”

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