Page 43 of Dollhouse

Right back where my life started.

Right back in the presence of the man who owns all of my firsts.

What a full fucking circle I completed.

“I don’t know why I came back,” I answer honestly. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were?”

He takes my hand and traces over my palm with a sigh. “I’d thought that you would’ve recognized me. When you didn’t, I didn’t want to say anything. Seeing you again has brought back a lot of memories for me. Bad memories. You’re fucking with my head too much.” I nod in understanding, because being here again has brought back memories for me too. “Why did you come back here? What happened?” he asks. I inhale, shaking my head as I stare into his remorseful eyes.

Eyes that hold many years of apologies that I don’t want to hear. I never wanted to hear a single apology from him.

Rowen saved me, even though I know he’ll never see it that way.

“When you’re doing better, we’ll talk, and I’ll tell you why I’m here. For now, you need to rest.” I lean up and press a small kiss to his cheek that he flinches away from. It bothers me, but I don’t show it.

Rowen had inner demons that I knew would take time to heal from. And it would start with him forgiving himself, which I know is easier said than done.

His eyes close and I stand up from the chair and walk toward the door, stealing one last glance at him. I send a silent prayer to anyone listening that he’d be okay and heal quickly.

When I returnto the penthouse, Eli’s sitting in the living room nursing a glass of scotch. I walk into the kitchen, grab a bottle of beer from the fridge and pop the cap on my way back to the living room. I sit on the couch beside him with a sigh.

“So, you remember Ro?” He breaks our silence first after a few minutes.

I nod. “Yeah. Yeah, I do. I don’t know how I didn’t recognize him at first.”

“It’s been a while, he’s uglier now so I don’t blame you,” he jokes, nudging me in the shoulder playfully to lighten the mood.

“D–do you know… about our history?” His eyes snaps to mine, and he holds my gaze. He reaches over and takes my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I know about Rowen’s past, yes. He’s told me all of his secrets, and if you ever want to, you can tell me yours too.”

“Why should I? Your plan to get rid of me failed, so how long until you try again?”

“Tate, we both know you’re not going anywhere. You’re ours, and all four of us know it.” His words send chills down my spine, but somehow, I knew what he was saying was true.

I feel like I was meant to cross paths with them from day one. I could’ve freaked out, screamed, or fought that day when they took me from the club, but I didn’t because from the moment King had wrapped his arms around me, I felt comforted and whole. I couldn’t explain it then, but now seeing Rowen again and knowing who he is, I can’t help but wonder if it was fate bringing me back to him.

I’d thought I was too young at the time to know what love was, but that wasn’t true.

I’ve loved Rowen since I was ten years old, and now he’s back in my life.

For how long, I don’t know.

Only time will tell.

Tate has spent every waking moment downstairs with Rowen.

Doc says he’s going to make a full recovery and is already starting to recover well. He woke up the next day after being shot—that was three days ago. And she’s been by his side ever since. The only time she leaves is when he’s asleep. She comes upstairs to shower and eat, then she’s with him again. Not that I mind, I’m glad that they’re spending time together, and after all these years, he’s taking a step in the right direction toward healing and learning to forgive himself for the abuse they both had to endure as children.

They’re both victims and had to experience things that no child should ever have to experience. For years, I’ve watched Rowen struggle and battle himself for things that happened in their past. I’ve helped him through the nightmares. I can only hope that he’ll forgive himself as much as she seems to have forgiven him.

Tate is bringing out feelings in all three of us. Feelings that I’m not sure how to process. For the second time in my life, I feel alive, like the ice wall I built around my heart is beginning to thaw. All it takes is a simple glance from her to feel whole.

It’s the strangest feeling really. I barely even know her, yet there’s something about her that has me so easily gravitating toward her. Seeing Tate with my brothers and how easily they cling to her makes me want to become a better man and experience the same treatment they receive. I’m jealous of them.

Love makes you weak.

Women are only to be used for one thing.

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