Page 101 of Silent Betrayal

“I…I did what you told me. I fought him,” I tell Atlas with tears in my eyes. He moves closer, hugging me as he cradles my head to his chest.

“Oh, Malishka, you did such a good job. I’m sorry we didn’t get her in time to stop him.” I reach up and wipe at his tears.

“You aren’t allowed to cry, my big gorilla. H-he didn’t rape me. He ripped off my underwear right before my dad killed him. I didn’t give up, I fought him the whole time, just like you said. And you came, you all came, like you said.” I look around and see all my guys surrounding me.

Atlas wraps his arms around me, hugging me tight as he kisses my head. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Malishka. I’m sorry this happened,” he says as he rocks me back and forth.

“T-there was a girl here. I told her to run,” I say, hoping she didn’t get lost in the woods.

“We found her on our way in, she’s gonna be okay,” Tucker tells me, squeezing my hand as I try to breathe.

“Is my dad okay?” I ask Atlas.

“Yeah, I didn’t hurt him,” he tells me.

“Shit, we need to cover her up,” Jasper says in frustration. Several of them move at once, and suddenly I’m covered in three jackets, making me smile.

“Thanks.”

“Fuck, don’t thank us for that, I wish we had something better for you to wear,” Max growls in frustration.

“There’s sweatpants in the SUV,” Gideon says.

“Honey, are you okay?” My dad asks, stepping up behind Gideon and Tucker.

“Yeah, I think so. Thank youfor saving me.”

“Of course, I’d do anything for you, my sweet girl.” He smiles at me and I can see in his eyes that he means it. He would do anything for me. Maybe there was a chance to rekindle that relationship after all.

Chapter forty-five

There is only one word to describe today.Amazing. Watching Mina run around the fair with everyone, with a smile on her face and no fear in her eyes, has been something all of us needed to get past the events of last week.

She was lucky to walk away with only a few bruises and, thankfully, no concussion. She processed her mother and brother dying remarkably well, which wasn’t all that surprising considering what they’d both put her through.

The cops did a DNA test on Simon and were able to pin dozens of murders on him. It’s a bit surreal that the case is finally closed. Not only had we been working on it for over five months, but Mina has never experienced life without a threat hanging over her.

We still have a lease on the house we’re renting until the end of next month, so we decided to take an actual vacation and relax. It’s giving us all time to get to know Mina better, and it’s giving her a chance to start healing. Yesterday, she asked Dom to set up an appointment with a therapist for her. I’m so proud of how far she’s come in such a short time.

“Max! Will you come on the Ferris wheel with me?” she asks, running up to me and grabbing my hand. I tilt my head down, smiling at her, andshe presses up on her toes to kiss me. That was another thing I noticed lately, how free she was with her affection for all of us, no longer afraid or holding back.

“Doesn’t Atlas want to go with you?” I ask, turning my gaze to him with a smirk, knowing how much he despises heights.

Mina leans towards me while we walk towards the Ferris wheel as she whispers, “he said he would, but I saw how white his knuckles were on the roller coaster, I have a feeling he doesn’t like heights very much.”

I chuckle as I tell her. “He hates them, but he’d do anything for you.”

“Well, I feel the same way. I don’t need to subject him to something he doesn’t like when I have another boyfriend more than willing to go up with me, right?”

“Right you are, Sweetheart.” I help her climb into the seat and sit beside her while the attendant secures the door on our little pod, straightaway we start moving. She reaches out and grabs my hand, and when I look at her face, she’s watching out the side with a huge grin.

“Are you having fun today?”

“Yes!” she says excitedly, her eyes turning back to mine. “Today is the best day ever! Thanks for suggesting we come here.”

“I’m glad you like it.” I watch her as her eyes bounce around everywhere as we rise to the top of the wheel. “You know, there is a rite of passage for your first Ferris wheel ride with a boyfriend,” I say, unable to take my eyes off of her beautiful face.

“There is?” she asks, looking at me eagerly.

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