Page 76 of Delicate Escape

“Sometimes, I just want to be normal. I don’t want to be all twisted up inside. Even though I got away, I still don’t feel free.”

I’d never felt the urge to commit murder before, but it thrummedthrough me now—a demanding need to end the person who’d done this to Thea. But even that wouldn’t be good enough. How did you come up with the appropriate punishment for a person who’d poisoned someone else’s mind and made them live in fear? I wasn’t sure there was anything strong enough.

“We’re going to get you there.” I bent and brushed my lips across hers. “You’re not alone in this.”

Thea’s eyes shone with unshed tears, making the green sparkle in the late-afternoon light. “I’ve felt alone for a really long time.”

I bent, pressing my face into her neck. “I know. But you aren’t alone anymore.”

“Shep,” she whispered.

The sound of tires on gravel had my head snapping up. “You expecting anyone?”

Thea shook her head, her face paling.

“Stay here,” I growled.

Half of me hoped it was Brendan fucking Boseman. I’d end him before he could blink.

30

THEA

“Shep, wait,”I hissed. But he didn’t. And the way he stalked around the side of my house said that whoever was on the other side would not be happy to see him.

I sucked in a breath as I followed after him, not letting it out until I heard Rhodes’ voice. I quickly wiped my face, making sure it was free of tears.

“Why are you scowling at me? You’re like Mr. Anti-Color over there.”

“Mr. Anti-Color?” Shep parroted, annoyance clear in his tone.

I rounded the house just in time to see Rhodes gesture at her boyfriend. “You know. Averse to anything but black and shades of gray. Communicates mostly in grunts and scowls.”

“Reckless,” Anson growled, moving into her space. But there was amusement in the nickname, too.

Rhodes sent him an exasperated look. “Is any of that a lie?”

He pulled her into his arms and nipped her bottom lip. “Behave or there will be consequences.”

Rhodes’ eyes hooded. “What if Iwantthose consequences?”

Shep made a gagging noise. “Please, God, make it stop. And what are you two doing here? Have you not heard of a phone?”

Rhodes stuck her tongue out at him. “We’re coming to kidnap you. Dinner and a band at The Sagebrush. No arguments. We need a little fun around here.” Rhodes’ gaze shot to me, and I saw a pleading look there. “Don’t say no. Kye and Fallon are coming, too.”

A flicker of unease slid through me. Reading it, Shep crossed to me and slid an arm around my shoulders. “We have plans here.”

I pressed a hand to his stomach, feeling the taut muscles there. “It’s okay. We can go.”

Shep’s gaze swept down to me. “We don’t have to.”

“Iwantto.”

He studied me for a long moment, trying to discern if that was the truth. But it was. It was time. Time to startliving. Because I hadn’t fought this hard for freedom, only to squander it and let Brendan continue to hold me prisoner.

I turned back to Rhodes and found her eyes locked on my hand on Shep’s abs. “I just need fifteen to get ready. Do you want to come in? You could feed the kittens for me while I get cleaned up.”

Rhodes’ gaze jerked to my face, and she grinned like I’d just told her she’d won the lottery. “Love this. Everything about it.”

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