Page 121 of Resistant

The duplicity and grief in my mind seem to have found its place tucked deep inside where it will rest.

I lie awake thinking about Sasha’s children. They are out there, maybe alone and afraid. What happens when Knox discovers them? I can feel my fury rising to the surface and I grasp Declan’s palm in mine squeezing tightly.

“What is it baby girl?” he mumbles sleepily.

“I want to go find Sasha’s girls. And I want to know what happened to David; I want to know how he died.”

“Right now?’

“Yes.”

His blue eyes find mine in the darkness.

“Okay, Brynn. But we are having pancakes first, and we can launch the Resurgence. I have so much to tell you.”

“I love you Declan.” I feel panic rising in my chest. He is another possible loss on the horizon.

Amazingly, my thoughts center while I stare into his ocean depths. I’ve been so afraid of loving and losing that I forgot the truth.

Loving is what makes us brave, helps us to take risks, to fight for ourselves, and others; it doesn’t matter if we are strangers, if we agree or disagree, or if our love will make a difference.

In some small way, realizing that Knox forced himself into my mind and a fractured place in my heart has helped me see the truth of things.

Real love in all forms is truth and lasting, and its past time for me to grab a hold of it with both hands.

He smirks playfully and intertwines his legs with mine. I feel his heartbeat under my cheek, and a warmth steals over me from the inside.

“I know, Brynn. You are mine, and I am yours.”

Epilogue

Knox

The alarm in the hotel room buzzes and I turn it off and roll to my feet.

Brynn is going to need me today. She has been so sweet, and she took her discipline so well last night. Ma lagniappe hardly uttered a peep.

Adrenaline spikes in my body and I revel in the thought of waking her, hugging her sore, bloody body to my chest. Last night, I was transfixed by the drops of blood cascading down her thighs.

This morning, I’ll run my fingers over the dried ribbons of blood and spread them into her creamy skin. My dick is uncomfortably hard at the thought, and a smile tugs at my mouth.

I push her door open and stare in silence at the empty bed. She didn’t sleep here. The bed is not rumpled, no wrinkles in the coverlet except at the end of the bed. I check the bathroom, under the bed, the closet.

Boiling rage races through my veins. The heat of it makes my head swim. My fingers curl around a glass lamp and it shatters in spectacular fashion. My rage roars out of me, and for a moment the room shakes.

The wallpaper hangs in shreds at the point of impact. It’s not enough. I hurl every object available, breaking chairs, blasting holes in the drywall, the furniture becomes a pile of rubble at my feet.

My breath is coming in gasps, and sweat has broken out on my brow. I wipe it off in irritation and feel a sudden calm sweep over me. The violence has appeased the monster inside me.

I know she’s been taken. I know the fucking Resistance has her. Declan may have won this round, but I will come for her. I relish this game of cat and mouse we are playing. Declan cannot be ignored any longer. When the time comes, I’ll deal with him myself.

Brynn has been a challenge that I haven’t been able to fully conquer, yet. I was close. I’ll persuade her to see my way of things once I launch the New World Order. For now, I need to pack and catch my plane to Tel Aviv.

“Mr. Anderson.” I bark.

“Yes sir.”

“Collect a decoy for Brynn Evans and drive her to the Bayou house. I don’t care where you dispose of the decoy or how, but make it happen. I’m relying on your discretion.”

---