Page 22 of Forever Filthy

He exhales loudly and his shoulders deflate. “Because they finally found their balls.” I snort but bite down on my tongue so I don’t blurt something crass out. Vox’s gaze is fierce as he stares at me. “They didn’t come to me for permission or even ask if they could date you, theytoldme. They didn’t give me an option to fight them on this.Theyare choosing you over me, Vivian.” My jaw slackens and my brows draw in. “Now, I’m going to ask you again, sister, are you ready for them to chase?”

“I—I…” I clamp my mouth closed, unsure how to answer that.

“I can only hold them off for so long, Vivi. Those three won’t let you walk away now… after…” Disgust is clear in his features. “Look, just make sure you are ready for this because the Filthy Few broke up a year ago and now suddenly you wind up here and those three revived it to capture you. Don’t think they are above playing dirty because they aren’t.”

I mull over his words for a while and I’m grateful for the fact he doesn’t rush me or push me to make my mind up.

“I have to go home today.” Vox shakes his head, clearly not happy with my answer but he doesn’t argue. They may not know it but I am doing this for all of us. Vox was right, the second he starts the car and begins to pull out of the driveway I see the front door fly open in the side mirror. Archer, Hayze and Ezekiel all stand there staring after us with varying looks of shock, confusion and sadness and it pains me to be the cause of that reaction.

“What are you really doing at the Saints?” Vox’s question startles me.

“What I’m supposed to do,” I answer in a clipped tone.

“I call bullshit. You didn’t seriously think I wouldn’t be keeping tabs on you, did you?” I grind my teeth.

“Stay out of it, Vox. I mean it.”

“Stay out of what exactly?”

“Nice try, douchebag. I mean it, you need to stay the fuck away from Hollow Hills.”

He glances at me for a second before focusing back on the road. “I would say you have a week tops before those three come after you, Vivian. Wrap up whatever it is and be ready because I doubt I will be able to throw my weight around with them this time.”

I shift in my seat to face him. “You’re okay… with this… with me and them?” His eyes close for a second as he inhales sharply.

“You want my honest answer?”

“Yes!”

“No, I’m not okay with it.” I deflate and drop my gaze to my lap. “But, I’ve lost you once already and I won’t risk that happening again.” I lift my gaze back to him to find him looking directly at me. “When they come back to Hollow Hills to take you, I’ll be with them. I’ll help them and deal with whatever this thing is as long as it means I get my sister back.” His words shouldn’t inspire hope inside me but they do. I wish I could confide in my brother but I can’t risk it not with so much uncertainty inside The Brotherhood.

Vox pulls into the parking lot outside my dorm and I sigh at the sight of six men stationed outside the building. Vox gruffs at the sight of them but remains silent. When he kills the engine, I don’t get out, we just sit here silently for a while drinking our coffees. When students begin to appear I know my time is up, I have to let go of my brother once more and finish this thing.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I reach for the door handle.

“Vivian?” I peer back at him over my shoulder, the worry lines that mar his face kills me. I never meant to hurt him.

“Yeah?”

“I’ll always have your back. I walked away a year ago because I knew it's what you wanted—needed. But, I can see it in your eyes…”

“See what?” I push.

“The fear. You’re terrified and it’s taking everything inside me to not keep you here. I need you to tell me you’re going to be okay. I need to know you will be okay because I can’t… I can’t fucking lose you, Vivi.” The anguish in his voice is what breaks me. I shift and lean over the console to wrap my arms around him. He holds me close and tight like he doesn’t want to let go.

“I’m okay, I got this,” I whisper as I pull back and force a smile for his benefit, then climb out of the car but his words have me pausing for a second.

“From the womb to the tomb, sister.” I don't respond or look back as I make my way toward my building. The guards all nod at me but say nothing about the state I’m in.

I stand outside the boardroom,waiting for them to call me in. Nerves thrum through me, it took me months to uncover the truth and now that the finish line is in sight I can’t help but feel like everything is going to blow up in my face. When I finally checked my phone earlier, I had numerous missed calls from David. Another letter and box. I’m fucking scared to find out what’s in the box after the last one.

I need to find out who the fuck is behind these letters. I have three suspects.

Thomas.

Nexus.

The Butcher.

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