Page 17 of The Silver Pact
“Someone threatened you?”
“Yes, and no. They didn’t remember me, but they were there. I needed to be safe. I needed to be somewhere they couldn’t get me.”
“We could have protected you-”
“With what? You didn’t tell anyone about your wealth. You looked like a poor pack who was picked for charity. Of course, I liked you. You four were the first fun, decent people I’d met in a long time. I didn’t need to pretend around you.”
“Then why?”
“Because I couldn’t go back to being that person,” she throws out. “It was so hard to pretend all the time, to hide from Onyx. I was so tired, and I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t trust the food. I just wanted to be safe.”
“And you thought Pack Treyfield could give that to you?”
“Yes,” she says in a tiny voice. “I thought if I could get their attention, they could keep me safe.”
“Did you like them? Want them?” My voice is harsh, ripped from me in rage as I contemplate murdering Pack Treyfield.
“No. Treyfield scares me. Grayson is…” she wrinkles her nose. “And Silas is arrogant.”
“Silver,” I whisper through my relief. That hot coal of jealousy I’ve carried all this time finally turns cold. “Come home with me.”
“You don’t know what you’re inviting into your home, Quint,” she whispers mournfully.
I tow her back into my arms and hug her slender figure to my chest. “Trust us to take care of you this time.”
She’s hesitant. She doesn’t trust me. This feeling slithers up inside me and threatens to strangle me. I want to make her feel safe. I want to see her smile like she did in those days when we first met her. Her fear, I want it gone.
She gives me the smallest dip of her chin, and I sweep her up into my arms and carry her back the way we came.
West, the damnable bastard, is waiting for us at the edge of the park. He smirks when he sees me and drops his sunglasses so he can see over the rims.
“Quint, you are not as hard as you pretend to be.”
I ignore him and secure her in the backseat before stepping back and closing the door.
“I’m going to get my car. Go for a drive or something for an hour. I’ve got someone I need to speak with.”
My twin’s eyes twinkle up at me, and he gives me a salute. “No problem.”
I stand on the edge of the street long after they’re gone trying to figure out what that feeling is inside me.
It’s only when I get behind the wheel of my car that I realise it’s hope.
seven
Ross
Three years and two weeks ago
Silver
Ross plays the guitar. I want so badly to sing with him, but I can’t. He serenaded me today. I was so caught up that I almost forgot the time. Onyx would never understand why I can’t stay away. I wish I could tell her, but I can’t. She would be so mad to know I left the cabin. I have to get out of here.
Present Day
Ian paces the balcony and deliberately refuses to look down. I do. She’s currently being bullied into the house by West. She’s trying to protest, but when the twins set their mind on something, nothing can stop them.
“She’s staying,” I say in challenge and relief.