Page 51 of Sold Wolf Slave

“So this is only because of the mission,” she said bitterly. “Not because of Morgan or—”

“I need you out of the way so I can keep my own head on straight, too,” I snapped, cutting her off. I reached out and gripped her shoulders, holding her in place, making sure she was looking at me because she needed to understand exactly how I felt. “Because as long as you stay here, I’m going to worry about you, and I’m not going to be able to focus. And this mission's succeeding is the best chance your sister has.”

Her mouth parted, as if surprised by the declaration. Something in her gaze softened. Then she closed her eyes, shaking her head as if to clear it, and that steely look had returned.

“You don’t know her. She isn’t going to be able to take it. He’ll break her, and she won’t be able to take it. She’s too sweet. She won’t be able to…” She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. She ran her fingers through her hair, clearly searching for the right words.

“You’re not giving her enough credit,” I said, startling her. Her head snapped toward me, and her eyes darkened, but I held up my hand. “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t look out for her, or that she isn’t in danger. But she’s your sister. And I’d bet good money that any sister of yours has some of your spirit.”

She collapsed back on the sofa, wrapping her arms around herself. “I can’t just do nothing. If I run away, I’m abandoning her. I can’t…” She trailed off again, the last word almost unintelligible as she choked back tears.

Letting out a long exhale, I moved to sit next to her. I pulled her against me. Instead of resisting, she leaned against me, nuzzling her head into the crook of my neck.

“Is that why you went out?” I asked. “Because you wanted to do something?”

I felt her nod against my neck. “Yes. And also because I had to fix my mistake.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “It’s my fault she’s there in the first place,” she said, and I could hear tears beginning to form in her eyes. “If it weren’t for me trying to escape with almost no plan, then Cain wouldn’t have even noticed her.”

I shook my head, pushing her away from me and turning her chin so she couldn’t look away. “If you hadn’t tried to escape, you would likely have been sold on the auction block by now,” I said. “You and your sister. And for all you know, Cain would have noticed her regardless.”

“I was reckless and impulsive,” she said. “I saw a chance, and I took it without thinking. And this is the consequence. My sister is going to be stuck with an evil asshole for the rest of her life, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. I’m completely useless.”

“You’re not—”

“I couldn’t do anything when they came for us, either,” she said bitterly. She gave a half-laugh that sounded as sharp as knives. “I actually let them into the house. I trusted them. It wasn’t until they grabbed me and put the forced collar and cuffs on me that I realized what was happening.”

“You couldn’t have known,” I said. “For all you know, trying to escape was the best thing you could do in this situation.” When she gave a disbelieving laugh, I shook my head. “No. If you hadn’t tried to run away, you wouldn’t have been going to the fighting pits when I came through the portal. Seeing you was the only reason I went to the fighting pits. I couldn’t help but follow you. If none of that had happened, I wouldn’t know anything about you or your sister, and I wouldn’t have found out all the information I have on Cain.” I raised an eyebrow. “Are you telling me that all the help you’ve given me counts as doing nothing? You’ve done more than you know.”

She shook her head. “I have to save her. She’s my responsibility, ever since our parents died. And I’ve failed her at every opportunity. I have to do something.”

“The best way to save your sister is by taking Cain down,” I said. “And you’ve given us enough ammo that we can probably make a move on him. We wouldn’t have that chance otherwise.”

She swallowed, glancing away but not saying anything. I took her chin and tilted it so she looked back at me.

“Please,” I said. “Do this for me. And for Morgan. It’s the best thing you can do. I know you hate being sidelined. If I thought you staying would help in any way, I’d keep you next to me in a heartbeat.”

She hesitated. I could see her shoulders trembling slightly. But her gray eyes stared into mine, and something sparked in them. She believed me. No, not quite. But she trusted me.

Her body sagged. “Okay,” she muttered. “You’re right.”

I took a deep breath as relief washed over me. “Thank you,” I said.

I was relieved. Relieved she was going to be safe, relieved that she was finally putting her trust in me, relieved that there was now a way for her to get out of here without dragging her feet. All I wanted was for her to be safe, and she was finally letting me help her. I wouldn’t have to worry about her every second I was here anymore, and that relieved me more than I could say.

Unable to express any of that, I pulled her into a hug, holding her against me, trying to convey everything I felt in that simple gesture, fighting that overwhelming urge to kiss her.

She leaned into me, not saying anything but nuzzling against my chest, almost as if on instinct.

We stayed like that for I didn’t know how long. I could have stayed like that forever. Eventually, though, we parted. I reached out and tucked a strand of her brilliant red hair behind her ear.

“I’ve got a few things to do first,” I said. “But we’ll get you to the portal tomorrow. In the meantime, stay here.”

She nodded. “Okay,” she said.

***

Kendra’s words ate at me. As much as I believed getting Cain out of the picture was the best way to ensure Morgan’s safety, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe she didn’t have a point.

So later, after Kendra had gone to bed and Chris and Nolan had come back down, I went right to business.

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