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“You mentioned that before.” He shuts his eyes for a moment. “Do you want to become one?”

What can I say? No, I’m being forced to do all of this?

The truth is so much scarier.

I’m being forced to do this, and I’m starting to like it. I’m growing fond of my cage, against my better judgement

I shrug. “I guess I’ll decide when the time comes. Right now, I find him…” My gaze drifts to Hunter, whose expression startles me. For someone who’s often so stoic, he looks riveted.

I smile. “Repugnant.”

Hunter covers his mouth as he coughs, and I want to shout with triumph.

He’s laughing at his overlord.

“Repugnant?” Rhett asks. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that about Damian Cross.”

No, of course they haven’t. Because he’s not. Not even when he says crazy, barbaric things.

“He should have killed me when I took you from him. That’s what a man does for his woman.”

I ought to have been disgusted when he said that, but it struck me somewhere deep.

I don’t expect Rhett to save me because he’s a man. That’s absurd. But I do expect the people I love to give me the same consideration I give them. I put myself in Damian’s power when he threatened Rhett’s life.

Would Rhett do the same for me?

I hate that my situation is making me question the love of a man who is almost a brother to me.

Without giving it much thought, I jump up and wrap my arms around Rhett’s shoulders. He laughs as he pulls me close. “What’s this for?”

“I miss you.”

“I miss you too,” he whispers against my hair.

“No touching.”

Hunter’s voice is soft, but Rhett shoves me away as if I’m on fire. “Sorry.”

I scowl at Hunter. “We’re not allowed to hug? That seemsreallystrange. And by strange, I mean cult-like.”

Hunter’s lips quirk.

“Ava,” Rhett hisses. “Stop.”

I whip my head around to face him. His eyes are full of anxiety.

Oh, my poor Rhett. He’s in over his head. We both are.

“I had a talk with…someone.” Rhett’s voice is barely audible. “You might not—” His eyes dart to Hunter. “You might not be stuck here.”

Fear seizes my chest.

No.

No, this isn’t good. If Rhett tries to get me out, there could be dire consequences. After what happened with Connor, I won’t take any chances.

But how can I tell him that? We’re being watched.