Page 29 of Wicked Oath

“Okay,” I say. “Then what?”

“Think you can handle this head on?” he asks, making me open my eyes.

“Like right now?” I ask.

“No,” he says. “We can give it a little time and then approach him.”

“And kill him?”

“No, stabby,” he chuckles. “We need to get him riled up. We will pay him a visit and show him how happy you are.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I mean… I am going to put us in a position where he runs into us,” Talon says. “You will be safe. I will be safe.”

“Okay.” I smile. “I can’t promise I won’t melt down after.”

“Well, I can’t either. We will manage together, yeah?” he says sweetly.

“I’m sorry,” Knox says as he stands at the now open door. “Who in the fuck are you, and what have you done with Hawk?”

“Funny,” Talon deadpans.

“I’m just playing with ya. It’s nice to see you smile, man. Really,” Knox says. “I am extremely curious, though.”

“I think we all are,” Torch says.

“Viper seems to know something,” Rogue says.

“Guys,” Viper sighs.

“It’s okay,” Talon says. “Sit down, guys. I’m going to explain something.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Viper says.

“I do,” Talon replies. “I don’t want people thinking I am heartless. I don’t want anyone to think they can’t speak up about this shit.”

“Alright,” Viper sighs. Talon pulls me into his lap and hugs me tightly for a moment, calming himself first.

When he sits up, he explains everything that Viper and I know. I rub his back as he talks, and he keeps control over his emotions for the most part. Rogue doesn’t. He is in tears. When Talon stops talking, Rogue comes over to sit beside us before hugging him. It’s an awkward hug at first but they embrace the comfort.

“I am so sorry, Talon,” Knox says. “Truly… I wish I knew what to say other than I want to kill them.”

“At least my dad won’t be lonely on the death list,” I remark.

“You too?” Torch asks.

“Yeah. Dad started touching me and like… teaching me how to touch him when I was like five or so. As I got older, I knew it was wrong. I knew that’s not how dads should behave, but life was easier when he wasn’t mad. He nearly got me pregnant and stopped altogether,” I explain. “I knew they would marry me off, but I don’t think I understood the gravity of what they meant until I went home with Logan. I realized too late that I didn’t have to listen to them. I could have refused to go.”

“You’re a people pleaser,” Viper says.

“I’m trying to get out of that habit,” I remark. “Instinctively, I don’t want to fail anyone, so I just do as I am told. The more I push back, though, the more in control I feel.”

“See? Bratty behavior,” Talon teases.

“Mhmm,” I smile.

“You guys staying here?” Talon asks the others.

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