Page 83 of Resistant

I shudder, because even though I already knew this to be true, I just got confirmation that we’ve walked right into the devil’s den.

“There will be no cohabitation in this house. You are under surveillance, and I will issue orders after our meal tonight that will ensure a guard will be watching you both 24/7. Should you get caught, a guard will be dispatched to deliver punishment. Brynn will receive punishment from me, and only me. Am I clear?”

Knox looks back and forth between the two of us. I’m sitting frozen in my seat; the ice of his stare has left me bereft and I don’t know how I will survive his incarceration without Declan.

I feel his hand sneak under the table and grasp mine. I squeeze his palm tightly and I feel something cold on my temple. Declan’s face falls and he lets go of me quickly and pushes his plate further down the table.

“Am I clear?”

“Yes, Knox. Put away the gun. There’s no need for that. I’ll comply.”

“I’m glad to hear it Declan, because I have a proposition for you.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’ve promised Brynn that if she upholds the contract, I’ll make sure her children are safe. Since she disappeared and I’ve been spending my time looking for her, I’ve lost track of where they are. I know where they were, and I need someone to go and track them down. You’d be good for this job, and you are the only person Brynn will trust to do so. I’m prepared to give you some provisions, a vehicle to go find them and bring them back here.”

I feel like there are bees buzzing through my blood stream. I’m listening to the conversation, but I don’t’ feel like I’m present in the room. I’m shocked that Knox would do anything for my children. What does that mean? What does he want me to do for him?

“I’ll consider making the trip. If I may, what do you expect of Brynn?”

“She will uphold the contract, she will sign the papers acknowledging that she belongs to me. She will abide by my house rules. And her children are welcome to come here to live if they can obey my rules as well.”

There are several moments of silence, and I watch as Knox takes a sip of his drink and helps himself to the food set before him. He passes a plate to me, and I concentrate on moving a stuffed mushroom from the platter to my plate.

“What are the rules?” Declan asks.

“To start, Brynn will not have any sexual relations with any man except me. She will be allowed to leave the house as long as I accompany her. She will not work outside the home. She will agree to undergo medical testing to further our research to cure The Sickness. And she will stay with me for the rest of her life. Her children will be allowed to attend school and move out once they are of age. I will support their college of course, and I will guide them in their choice of careers. Should they blend in our new family well, they will be allowed to see their mother whenever they choose to do so.”

Declan’s fork clatters to the table, and I can physically see his blood pressure rising. His cheeks are tinged pink, and his hands are shaking. I shake my head at him, and he sits back in his chair.

“Brynn, you can’t agree to this. I’ll find another way.”

“I’m sure I can convince you that this is the best way, Brynn.”

I watch in horror as a guard approaches and presses the butt of his pistol against Declan’s temple.

Declan closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again, his blue eyes shine at me, begging me not to give in. But how can I do otherwise? I can’t allow Knox to murder Declan. Anything is sustainable so long as I know Declan is okay and he can get to my boys.He can be a father to my boys. He will keep two parts of me with him always.They will be okay.

My heart thuds in my chest. Indescribable fear snakes through me so severely that I can’t grasp any further coherent thought.

I don’t see any other way to keep my children safe. Tears roll down my face as I accept that I’m about to shatter myself into pieces to ensure their safety.

I’m breaking the most important promise I’ve made to Declan, knowing that the loss of him will destroy me. Panic washes over me at just the thought of losing Declan, and I gasp for breath, sobs choking out of my throat.

Declan’s face contorts in pain, his eyes pool over. Desperation washes over his beautiful face. I mourn that this may be the last time I see him. I wish that the last expression I see from him is a smile or a smirk.

“No Angel, don’t do this.”

“You’ll get to my boys and keep them safe?” I whisper. I’m nodding my head at Declan, pleading with him to agree. I know he will do this for me.

I watch as he takes a steadying breath and closes his eyes.

My throat burns.

“Yes Angel, you know I will. But I don’t want you to do this at your own expense. We’ll find another way.”

I shake my head, look down at my lap, wringing the cloth napkin between my fingers. I can’t look at Declan. I can’t watch as the agony I know he’s feeling clutches at him, and the stormy ocean emerges from his eyes.

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