Page 30 of Breaker

Just like he trained us.

Breaker’s eyes close and when they open again, I see that familiar look of determination he gets right before he does something stupid.

Or brave.

He unties the leather bindings around her wrists and rubs them tenderly, helping her sit up, before pulling her into his lap. She’s still sobbing uncontrollably, a mess of limbs and pain in Breaker’s arms. I want to lash out, punch something until my hands are bloody and bruised.

Myself. Right in the face.

We did this. Caused this pain.

She’s absolutely devastated, and I can’t even imagine what Cora must be feeling right now. It’s been hours since Fallon took her, and she’s back in Rune’s clutches by now. God knows what he’s doing to her.

Is he hurting her?

The thought alone makes me want to destroy everything in sight. I’ve been sitting around, feeling sorry for myself while god only knows what our Little Flower’s enduring.

We need to make a plan.

“Tiny Thing,” Breaker’s gentle whisper cuts through the chaotic my panic building my gut. My vision clears and I see she’s straddling him, her slight frame shaking with sobs. He wraps his muscular arms tightly around her, burying his nose in her hair. She clings to him like a lifeline. After a minute Breaker pulls back and cups her cheeks, searching her eyes. “What did I tell you?”

Delilah murmurs something I can’t hear, and she falls apart again.

Breaker has a big heart. He’s loyal to a fault. He loves all of us ferociously, but we don’t get this. This gentleness. We just get Breaker and his snarky remarks and quiet laughter.

He nestles his nose to her, trailing soft kisses to her earlobe. I shouldn’t be getting hard, but I can’t help it. The only time I’ve ever seen him like this was the other night, and I want to see more. As selfish as it is, I want some of it for myself.

He whispers in her ear and her whole body stills. She nods. When his lips land on hers, she arches up, meeting his kiss, parting her lips to let him slip his tongue deeper. I feel like I’m invading on something private, and I take a step back, but his hand latches on to my belt, keeping me in place, letting me, wanting me, to be a part of this tenderness.

When he breaks the kiss, he lets me go, then runs his hand over her long black hair. “Be a good girl, Tiny Thing.”

She nods, more tears slipping free, but she swipes them away, her beautiful features growing softer.

“Promise?”

She licks her lips, nodding. “Promise.”

He places her back on the bed and stands, reaching behind him. The metal rings glint in the light. Now I know why he was in Viper’s room.

Shit.He just calmed her down, and she’s going to be even more pissed. Breaker grabs her wrist and slaps the handcuff around it. She stares at it blankly, then up at him right before he pulls her arm up to the headboard and snaps the other end in place, cuffing her to the bed.

“What are you doing?” she asks, looking over at me like I’m going to help her.

Her expression of shock makes me stifle a chuckle. I shake my head. “Didn’t I warn you what happens to naughty girls who try to run?”

That clouded, sweet, slightly confused look vanishes, and her mouth thins to a straight line, her face contorting with anger. “Assholes.”

His stark, wintery eyes meet mine, and for the first time since I watched Cora get dragged away, I feel a tiny spark of hope. Breaker earned his name for a reason. He may be the youngest out of us, but he’s also far braver in many ways, standing up to Fallon when even Reaper cannot.

Chapter 10

Delilah

The sky outside thewindow turns brighter, the dark clouds moving out, revealing a bright blue sky. Sunlight filters through the panned glass, dust floating in the lines of bright light. I reposition myself, the metal cuff slinking and sliding down with me as I sprawl out on Reaper’s bed, Breaker’s words ringing in my head.

I close my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. The two left me about twenty minutes ago, but I’ve been here long enough that I get it. I can’t leave. They want me here, need me to fulfill whatever plan they have. Reaper and Striker both admitted they need my cooperation. To follow orders. How many times was I told this? It’s only taken me three weeks, but I realize that’s what they’ve been doing with me all along.

Training me.

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