Page 249 of Quinlan

My need to please and pacify people who don’t deserve my kindness died in the penthouse that I now call home.

New boundaries have been set in place, and they’re erected high. So high, they reach the clouds. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, physically and emotionally.

My eyes are wide fucking open.

“Where are you taking me?” I growl at both him and the driver.

And—that’s odd. There’s no partition between us. A sign I missed while I was frantic to make it to my parents.

Rex’s laugh pulls me from my thoughts, the sound sickening. My stomach roils, my hands clenching into fists. Whatever his answer is, it doesn’t matter.

Liam, Rome, and Damien are my stalkers. They’ll get to me. They always will.

“You have some nerve, demanding answers.” Rex sneers, wiping the smile off his face. “As if you’re owed something.”

His expression isn’t something new. He curled his lips at me that way before. I convinced myself he’s upset because of work. That he was tormented about our devastating past.

Disdain. That’s what it really is. He can’t stand the sight of me. Hasn’t since the day we lost Blake at the pool.

Since the day we became a burden.

“I’m owed a lot.” A fresh wave of fury pushes me to yell at him. I’ve been wanting to do this for so long. He hurt Damien. Hecuthim. My man. Mine. “Youowe a lot of people a lot of things, you bastard.”

“Yeah, right.” The woman in the front sniggers, then laugh-snorts. Her eyes in the rare view mirror are almost black.

“Excuse me?”

She shoots me a scornful gaze before returning her attention to the road.

I’m too focused on her that I miss Rex’s movement.

“Worthless sluts aren’t owed shit, little sister.” His hand is on my chin, hurting me as he forces my face to his mad one.

Stupid. Rome would’ve been disappointed.

Always protect your face. That’s a good girl, sweetheart.

Rome would’ve wanted me to stay focused and figure out how to get myself out of this.

I glare at Rex, my hands on his wrist.

“Foster fucking kids, miserable sacks of shit that no one cares about.” His grip on me tightens. He doesn’t flinch when I claw at his skin. Nothing gives. “Their junky parents included? They’re owed even less.”

“What did they ever do to you?”

“They were my meal ticket.” He shakes my face, and I snarl. “A talking, walking, motherfucking raucous meal ticket. Couldn’t stand them.”

We weave through the heavy traffic, inching forward. Getting farther away from my new home. Rex’s fingers hurt me the tighter he squeezes my chin.

He’s furious at me. For enjoying my time in captivity. For leaving him in charge. That I chose the enemy over him.

Hisenemy.

The naïve girl with the blinds over her eyes—that girl from a month ago—she’d have clung onto hope. Regardless of the anger oozing from Rex’s, she’d make excuses for him.

She’d do everything to appease him, to calm the tantrum that brims behind his eyes.

That girl would’ve still believed Rex’s letter. She’d know that this taxi will take her to her parents.

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