Page 78 of Entangled

The look he shoots me then is forbidding... but after the Sinners’ camp and being surrounded by men who truly did want to hurt me, Dom’s glare doesn’t seem quite so nerve-wracking.

“They aren’t Sam,” I insist. Of that much, I’m sure. “Mateo and Alastair stepped in time and again to stop me and Heather from being hurt.”

“And from what I hear, they would have dragged you back to the Den, and Sam would have had you anyway.” Dom’s eyes flash as he pushes off the rock like he can’t stay still. “Come on, Eden, don’t be naive. Do you really think they’re good men? Why are you fighting so hard for them to live?”

“I don’t think it’s that simple,” I argue, feeling hot. My anger is quick to spark now, too close to the surface. Too fresh from all my hate and fear and need. “Dom, I think if they go back to the Den, they’ll try to stop Sam. They don’t want his empire, and they don’t agree with his vision.”

“They signed up. They have those tattoos on their hand the same as the rest of them. They live in that base and get all the benefits that come with it. They’ve killed to protect the Sinners. They attacked us for our weapons, and for the women they thought were here.” He gives me a knowing look. “Doesn’t look like they’re disagreeing that hard.”

The yellowing leaves in the trees give a sly rustle.

I blow out a frustrated breath and adjust my glasses while I think. “No. I don’t think they’re good men. I think Alastair, especially, is cold, and I think he only protected us because it didn’t hurt his interests to do so. But I think they can be of more use free than captive.” My voice turns cool. “And they’re certainly of more use free than dead.”

Dom studies me, his jaw tight. Then he shakes his head. “Eden, do you really think they’re just going to go back and be our inside men? Help us take down Sam like we’re all one big happy family?”

The silent judgment burns. I can practically feel him pitying my gullibility.

“That’s not what I meant,” I mutter.

What do I mean?ShouldI be fighting this hard? He’s right that we can’t trust them. So why do I have this irrepressible feeling that he is wrong in this?

Sam’s visionterrifiesme. And those women need a chance. Any chance.

“What’s more likely is that Alastair and Mateo return to Sam, let him know just how many vulnerable people we have sitting at Bristlebrook, and they’ll come back again—this time with more men. Alastair is a SEAL, Eden, and it takes about two seconds to realize he’s fucking ruthless.” Dom glares at me, but it doesn’t feel hateful. More like he’s frustrated he can’t get through to me.

Which is fair, considering I’m feeling the exact same way.

Maybe if I throw one of these rocks at him, it will knock some sense into him. Or maybe it will just join the rest of the cluster that seems to be rattling about in his skull.

Dom shakes his head. “We can’t risk it. We can’t do anything for Sam’s captives—it’s just the way it is. We’re outmanned and they have too many hostages. I’ve done enough deployments to know the odds of us coming out on top in that scenario, and they aren’t good. Bentley wants more information on the meds?—”

“Doesheknow how you’re getting that information?” I ask tartly.

“He missed today’s session.” His voice turns dry. “He was busy sharpening his sword.”

Sharpening his... oh for goodness’ sake.

Dom lifts one shoulder as an owl hoots in the distance. “Heather thought we should let him be. But once Bentley has that information, we have no other need for them.”

“So youaregoing to kill them.” I feel sick.

How many women will never get free? How many women are being raped right now?

Dom stiffens. “That’s judgmental coming from someone who left a pile of poisoned corpses in the woods just two days ago.”

I flinch, then look away. I do have death on my hands. God, why won’t that pressure on my chest let up? I can’t even peel apart the layers of all the feelings crammed in there.

The cold wind picks up, and Dom’s eyes squeeze shut. He rubs a tired hand over his face.

“Sorry,” he mutters. “I shouldn’t throw that back in your face.”

I lift my hand dismissively. “Ididkill them. It’s only the truth.”

The memories of violent retching and Akira’s screams for Logan fill my ears, but rather than guilt or shame, I only feel an insistent, irksome heat spark to life.

My voice firms. “And maybe you’re right and I am a hypocrite. But those men held me captive.” I still feel their ties around my wrists. Their eyes under my skin. I glare at Dom. “Theythreatenedme. I had to dosomethingto free myself.”

He’s watching me closely. “Yes, you did.”

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