Page 64 of Silent Betrayal

When we found her in her basement, beaten and broken, I was horrified and devastated. But this—this is heartbreaking. I saw the moment she let the panic take over. The life faded from her eyes, and she stopped trying to breathe. I tried to call her back to me, to us, but she wouldn’t listen.

I’ve only known my little Malishka for a short time, but she’s already so deeply rooted in my heart. And if she thinks she can just leave me, leave us, she’s wrong. I won’t leave this room again until she knows with everyfiber of her being how deeply I love her and that she isn’t ever allowed to leave me. I won’t let her.

Ben

Mina sits sandwiched between Dom and myself, as I run my fingers through her soft hair. I keep running the conversation at the diner over and over in my head. Something must have triggered her. But of all the things she’s been told and stayed strong through, I didn’t think us arguing with her dad would be the thing to set her off.

When I held her in the SUV and felt her tears before she’d even fully woken up, it broke my heart. I don’t want her to be sad, ever. I want her happy and smiling, and I can’t help but feel like a fuck-up for letting this happen.

When she wakes, I want to finally tell her how I feel about her. Thinking about losing her, without ever telling her how I feel, makes me wish I hadn’t given her so much space over the past few days.

We fucked up, and it’s time we fix it.

Dom

I‘m so angry at my little Kitten. She’s not allowed to give up on me like that. I love this girl with every fiber of my being, and she’s supposed to feel the same way back. I thought she did. But how could she, if she can just give up that easily?

It doesn’t make sense. Her panic attack at the diner was different from the one in the SUV, but none of us can figure out what happened that could explain it. She just woke up crying.

Her fingers twitch where I’m holding her hand, and I snap my head around to look at her face. The whole room grows tense as everyone notices and waits for her to move again.

Moments later, she starts to stir, her eyes slowly blinking open as she looks at the ceiling.

We all watch her silently, afraid to move or say anything that might spook her. Her breathing stays steady with no sign of panic as her eyes begin to move around the room.

When they land on mine, there’s heartbreak and devastation written all over them. It’s like a kick to the nuts, literally making me grunt in pain. Her lip trembles, and her eyes turn glossy.

“No,” I command her, grabbing her and pulling her up to my chest. I cradle her with one arm around her back and the other stroking her face.

“You don’t get to shut down like that, you’re breaking my heart, Kitten. Tell me why you’re so upset.”

She sniffles, and I’m surprised when she answers so quickly. “You—you don’t want me anymore. You’re going to send me away. You think I’m messed up. I—I’d rather die than live without you, any of you. I can’t do this on my own!” She is practically shouting as tears roll down her cheeks.

“Jesus, baby, what are you talking about?” I look at her like she’s nuts, because, I mean, why would she think we don’t want her? This makes no sense.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about! I heard what Atlas said!” she cries, covering her face with her hands as I pull her closer and exchange a confused glance with Atlas, who looks both confused and horrified that he might have caused this.

“What did Atlas say? Tell me exactly what you think he said.” I’m so angry, but I don’t even know where to direct it right now.

She sniffles and looks at Atlas, directing her answer to him. “You said you have to send me away, that my head is messed up, and that I can’t be fixed. Y-you don’t want me because I’m broken.”

I rack my brain, trying to remember what was said. He did say something like that, but that’s not what he meant.

She starts to hyperventilate again so I hold her cheek in my large palm, trying to soothe her.

“Baby, that’s not what he meant. We were saying that we thought you should see a psychiatrist to get some help. We know so much has happened to you in your life and recently, and it’s a lot to deal with. None of us are properly equipped to help you, and we thought a professional could help you figure out your emotions. In no way are we sending you away. If you decide you want to see a psychiatrist, we’ll be waiting for you in the waiting room the entire time. There is no way any of us would send you away. In fact, we won’t even let you take yourself away from us.You’re ours. Do you understand?”

I seem to be getting through to her because her breathing is calming down as she stares into my eyes. I see hope and desperation looking up at me. She’s hoping my words are true.

“Kitten,” I say, rubbing my palm along her cheek. “You’re going through so much right now with your parents, Simon, Jeff, and Brad. But the one thing you never have to worry about is us. I know I speak for my brothers when I say that we all knew from the moment we met you that you were it for us. I love you, baby, and if I thought my brothers would let me, I’d haul you down to the courthouse and marry you on the spot.”

Her eyes go wide, but I also see desire there as well. I think, although the idea shocks her, she isn’t totally against it… interesting.

A few of my brothers groan around the room. When she doesn’t say anything, I prod her. “So, Kitten, what do you say?”

Her mouth opens and closes as her eyes go comically wide, and Ben laughs. “He’s not proposing, Princess. He’s asking about the rest of it.”

“Oh…” Her shoulders drop, and she stares at her hand as she strokes the scar around her ring finger. “I’m sorry I freaked out. I came out of the first panic attack to hear those words, and I just took them the wrong way, I guess.”

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