Page 14 of Silent Betrayal

He laughs, and I narrow my eyes at him.

“I’m sorry, I’m not laughing because you feel bad. It’s just that we’ve barely heard you speak at all, and I sort of expected you not to answer or to lie and tell me you’re okay. I love that you’refinallybeing honest with me,” he says, kissing my cheek as he sits on the bed. He places me in front of him and rearranges me so I’m sitting between his legs with my back against his chest, so we both face the rest of the room.

My fingers rest on his knees, feeling the soft material of his black dress pants. He’s paired it with a green dress shirt, but he’s left the top two buttons undone, giving me a little peek at the tiny bit of hair peeking out. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his impressive forearms that are currently wrapped around my waist as I lean back against him.

Is this how friends sit together? Something about this seems much more intimate than I think sitting with a friend should feel like. But I don’t have much experience to go on. It’s probably just because I’m so attracted to Dom, and all the guys, if I’m being honest. There isjust something about each of them that soothes me in a way I’ve never felt before.

And what was with that whole husband and boyfriend thing? I was sure it was just for the CPA officer, but Max seemed so genuine when he spoke to me. And Tucker… hekissedme. On the lips. That had to mean something, didn’t it? Were several of them interested in dating me?

“Are you okay, Mina?” Gideon asks, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and taking my hand in his. “Do you need any of your pain medication increased?”

I shake my head, reserving my voice for when it’s really needed. Ben sits on my other side and offers me some water, which I gratefully sip when he places the straw between my lips. My eyes dance around to each of them as I quench my parched throat. They are all so kind and caring, I’m not sure I deserve to have them in my life.

“Mina?” Ben asks, snagging my attention back on him. “Would you be comfortable having one of us as your emergency contact and power of attorney for medical care?” I frown, not knowing what that means. “When they brought you in, they wouldn’t even let us see you because legally we’re not family.”

The way he says that makes me think he might consider me family in another way, or maybe that’s wishful thinking.

“We only got to stay because we know the police chief. The doctor hasn’t even told us much about your condition. Just about the induced coma, and your finger. Once you were out of critical danger, he refused to give us any other updates. If you appoint one of us as your POA, we can help make medical decisions for you when you’re unconscious and unable to do so.”

“Only if you want us to, of course,” Gideon adds. I take a moment to consider what he said. If one of them was in the hospital and I wasn’t allowed to see them, I’d be upset, too. Jasper said I was unconscious for twelve days. They’ve been waiting for twelve days to find out what happened to me. I don’t think there is anyone I’d trust more to take care of me.

I look up at Ben and nod.

“Really?” he asks in surprise. I smile and nod again. “Great, let me grab the paper work, which one of us do you want to be your POA and emergency contact?” he asks, grabbing an envelope from the small table and pulling out some papers along with a pen.

I think about his question. I can’t really choose one of them over the other, I trust them equally. I lift my right arm, it takes effort but I’m glad to see it responding, even if it isn’t much. I quickly swirl my finger around to indicate the whole room.

“All of us?” Gideon asks with an eyebrow raised. I nod in confirmation. “Can we do that?” he asks, looking at Ben.

“Yes, we can all be POA for her equally, but she needs one main emergency contact. If you don’t mind, Mina, I’d suggest Dom. He’s the head of our family, so I think he’d be the best choice at keeping a level head in an emergency.” I nod in approval. I wouldn’t be able to choose between them, so I’m glad he’s doing it for me.

He holds the paper out, and between him and Dom, they help me sign the papers.

“I’ll go file these now,” Ben says, moving to stand, but I manage to stop him with my hand on his arm. He furrows his eyebrows at me as I try to work up the strength to speak. “What is it, Princess?”

I sigh and motion for some more water. I think it’s time to tell them about my past, especially if they were going to be my emergency contact and make decisions for me, they need to know everything.

“I… I want t-to tell you about m-my past,” I stutter out. Gideon holds the straw to my lips, and I take a few long gulps.

“You don’t have to tell us anything until you’re ready, Love,” Gideon says, gently stroking my hand.

I open my mouth to speak again, but I know I won’t be able to say everything.

“Here, I have an idea,” Ben says, pulling out his phone. “I downloaded a text to speech app. So you can type and it will read it out loud for you.” Wow, that’s a really cool app, I wish I had known about it before, it’ll help me get through this. Telling them about my past isn’t going to be easy, and even if I could speak properly, I’m not sure I’d actually be able to say the words.

He opens the app and passes me his phone and I immediately start typing.

“I want to tell you. I have to tell you. I can’t live with you in your home until you know. Or I’ll be too scared to tell you and have you kick me out.”The app speaks aloud for me.

“What? We would never kick you out, Angel. No matter what you tell us, youarecoming home with us, understand?” Jasper says firmly, and I give him a sad nod. He says that now…

“I’d like to tell you, anyway. I owe it to you for saving me. But I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be scared of us, Sweetheart. And don’t worry, that asshole is in a holding cell. He won’t get his hands on you again,” Max says from the end of my bed.

I frown at him. What is he talking about?His hands?Is he talking about Brad? That feels so long ago now, I had forgotten about what happened at school that day. I turn my head to him quickly, confusion written all over my face.

“Are you talking about Brad?”The app reads for me.

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