Page 39 of Room Ten: Praise Times Three

She visibly sags against Reese—and damn, I wish I was the one holding her right now. “Good.”

Caiden grins like a loon. “That’s what I said.”

Actually, he pumped his fists in the air and danced around the garage chanting,fuck that motherfucker, I hope he burns in hell.

“And the others?” She smiles.

“The frat boy, as you called him, is Brad Mathews, and they shot him while approaching the property. He’s critically injured and on his way to the ER. Claudine was arrested without issue. You’ll probably have to deal with her if this case goes to trial, but if we can help you avoid being face-to-face with her, we will.”

“I don’t have a problem testifying against her.” She shrugs. “Actually, I think I’d like to make eye contact with her again.”

I reach out and squeeze her thigh. “That’s my strong girl.”

“So, we’re going home,” she states.

“Your father wants to see you, and I’m sure your sister is ready to give you that hug she promised.”

That makes her smile, but she ducks her chin and casts her eyes down to her lap. “What does it mean for us?”

Reese cups her face, bringing her eyes up to his. He kisses her gently before turning her head toward me. I lean forward and also kiss her softly, begrudgingly pulling back for Caiden to do the same.

“This has been an emotional week for you, Leti,” Reese starts. “And while we want you, we aren’t sure you are in the right mental state to decide about how you feel about us.”

“So,” Caiden sighs, “we think it would be best to go home for a couple of days, settle back into your life, and think about what you want with us.”

I rub her thigh. “Like I told you a couple days ago… we’re not going anywhere. Go home and reconnect with your sister. Think about us and what you want. We’ll be waiting.”

“I’m sad.” She tries to smile at me with tears in her eyes, and I swear my heart is shredding itself right now.

I sink to my knees in front of her and put my head in her lap. “Me too, beautiful. But if we kept you, we’d be no better than the people who kidnapped you.”

“Do you understand?” Reese asks.

Leti runs her fingers through my hair, petting me gently. “I understand.”

---