Page 20 of Ravaged Saints

Max, on the other hand, doesn’t say a word and storms out of the room. “I’ll talk to him,” Ryker says before following Max outside.

“Can we go to the bedroom?” I ask Dante, and he nods. Bryn walks beside me.

We enter the room, and Dante closes the door without saying a word.

“Bryn,” I sit on the bed, rubbing my temples.

“I know, I fucked up!” She throws herself onto the mattress. “But Ethan was so nice, and he asked me if I wanted him to kiss me,” she says, sitting up. “No one ever asked me. He was sweet and kind, so I said yes, Aspen.”

My head hurts, and my heart’s still pounding in my ears.

“We need to leave this place, Bryn; it’s not safe,” I murmur, and she jumps off the bed.

“Did you hear what I just said?” She snaps at me, “I said yes!”

“I know that! But still…” I trail off, “There are five of them here! How long before they don’t wait for consent?!”

“Girl, come on! Not every man is like Cash or those Hunters!” She is pacing back and forth. “You saw how Max protected me, and Ryker placed himself in front of you!”

I know all of that, but still, I don’t trust them. I need to get out of here!

I get up, my movements slow, and my words drop to a whisper. “You can stay, but I’m leaving.”

Her eyes widen, her breath hitching. “Aspen.”

“I don’t belong here. I need to leave. I won’t force you to come, but please don’t make me stay.” My words feel like a plea, my chest tightening as I search her face for any sign of understanding. She takes a deep breath, her gaze locking with mine, searching for something in my eyes.

“Fine,” she says, her hands reaching out, and I lean into her for a hug. I hate that I’m leaving her here, but I can’t stay; this is all too much for me.

We head upstairs after a while, and I can see the sadness in Bryn’s eyes. I wish she would come with me, but I get it. She was in a community before being kidnapped; she is used to this, but I’ve been alone for years; I can’t imagine myself being stuck in this place.

We sit on the couch. My hands feel ice cold, and my breathing increases.

I need to leave tonight.

“Are you girls okay?” Dante stands in front of us.

Bryn’s eyes travel to me and back to him. “Yes.” She finally says.

Dante turns to me, and I just nod.

“How does your ankle feel?” He kneels in front of me, his hand gently lifting my leg, his touch is warm and steady. I don’t move, his proximity calming yet intense. “Max told me you got injured. I took a couple of courses in the army.” His words are soft, his gaze focused as he meets my eyes. “Can I take a look?”

My skin bursts into goosebumps, and I nod. His touch is soft, and a smile crosses his lips as he moves my ankle around.

Part of me wants to kick his teeth out, but the other enjoys his gentle touch. I need a therapist…

He is the nicest one here; I almost feel safe around him, but Knox and Max are too authoritative, too physical, too…animalistic. But Dante seems different.

“Where are Recon and Max?” Knox asks, sitting on the couch next to Ethan, right in front of us.

“Recon?” Bryn raises an eyebrow.

“Ryker,” Dante answers while still holding my ankle. “They’re downstairs, probably in Max’s room.”

Knox just nods, and I notice him looking at Dante, his eyes trailing from my ankle up my leg, stopping at my hips. His chest rises and falls faster, and my heart speeds up in response.

What on earth is wrong with me?

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