Page 135 of Anger

And still, knowing what they’re doing to us, I continue playing the part. But not just to continue the lie. Because I want to stay involved enough to know exactly what they’ve done to Brin to force her to play the part as well.

Brinley keeps glancing at Damon’s friend. She doesn’t seem scared like she normally is.

For the first time since I’ve known her, she seems at peace with her surroundings.

So many questions.

I don’t know whether to kick the other guy’s ass or thank him for whatever he’s done to make Brinley feel safe for once.

I need to find out what’s going on.

“So theyareyour people? I fucking knew it. Why have you been holding out on me? Let’s go talk to them. Introduce me.”

She hesitates to lead me over to hernew friends, but within a few seconds, she makes the choice to introduce us. I walk directly to Damon as if I have no idea who he is.

“I’m Ames,” I say, extending my hand to him. A silent bark of laughter shakes his shoulders before he grasps my hand in greeting.

“Damon. Nice to meet you.”

His fingers squeeze my hand tighter than they should, and when I go to pull away, his grip prevents me from doing so.

My eyes lock with his, and all I see in that amber gaze is amusement.

I wonder where the anger’s gone and who this new version of him is.

Thankfully, Brinley buys it.

Thinking I’m just making new friends, she walks off with the other guy, leaving Damon and me alone.

Voice low, he looks over to where his friend is standing then back to me.

“I told you we wouldn’t hurt her. You satisfied now?”

As if I ever could be…

“Not at all. I still think you’re a piece of shit for what you’ve done.”

“Good to know,” he answers, the corner of his mouth curving up as if this entire situation is a joke.

Nothing is funny about it.

“I still have questions. Lots of them.”

His eyes blaze bright, a single tic of his jaw. “Those will cost you.”

Fuck the cost.

“Are we done now? Is Brinley free to go and we can all say our goodbyes and return to our regularly scheduled lives like we never met each other?”

Damon shakes his head then casts a quick glance at Brinley and his friend. They’re heading back in our direction.

“I hate to break it to you, Blue. But we’re not even close to being done.”

He pushes away from where he was leaning against the bar, his eyes skating over to Brinley and his friend as they approach.

“Gotta go,” he says, flashing an arrogant grin.

Brinley rushes up to me. “We need to leave, Ames. But I also need you to talk to your brother.”

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