Page 3 of Breaking Sanity (Hell’s Asylum #1)
I get cut off by a large hand wrapping around my throat and a very angry face with deadly eyes mere inches from mine. I have a tendency to hit his lose-control button very quickly. Like he said, it’s an art form.
“Watch it Alley, I dropped everything to get here to make sure you were okay,” he grits.
“To ease your fucking conscience for missing the last few years of my life! This has nothing to do with you actually fucking caring. This visit was about you and whatever information you assholes needed,” I shout. “You don’t fucking care!!”
I can see something in his eyes snap. The fury is rolling off him in waves and I am almost starting to think that he may actually choke me to death.
I dig my nails into his wrist to get him to loosen his grip at least a little.
Titus is the most muscular out of all of them.
He is still an inch shorter than Declan, but the man is solid muscle.
He is built like a brick shit house but not steroid looking.
No matter what mood he was in, he was always the most beautiful man.
Gorgeous brown skin, cut square jaw line, dark chocolate eyes- almost looking black, always had the typical military cut but his hair was always so soft, and the right length to pull when I needed to ground myself after every multiple orgasm.
“Titus, let her go.” Dec places his hand on Titus’s arm trying to placate him. Instead of him letting go, he squeezes harder. They start this stare off, although it looks like they are having a silent conversation, but I can’t tell since I’m trying to get any oxygen into my lungs.
“Come on man, you’re literally choking her. She is turning purple for fucks sake.”
“Please Titus,” I choke out with what feels like my last breath.
His gaze darts to me and releases, pushing me back. I fall to the dingy brown, probably once white, carpet coughing and try to suck in the oxygen.
“You know you guys weren’t there,” I heave as tears spring to my eyes.
“Well, we are here now,” Titus growls.
“And I’m just supposed to accept that, huh?” I jump to my feet and get in his space. “I went through literal fucking hell, which you were fully aware of, by the way, and now when I sent you a text saying, “I’m injured, can you help?” that’s when you decide to be the hero?!”
“I am no hero,” he spits, backing away.
“Well, no shit Sherlock,” I snort, getting back into his space.
“If any of you actually were, you would’ve been there keeping me from jumping off the ledge!
But were you? No, you were watching from the sidelines, as my world was flipped upside down and fucked sideways!
I texted both of you, so many fucking times about what was actually going on.
And what did you two do? Text back here and there- ‘I’m sorry you are going through this.
’ and ‘I miss you!’ yet did nothing to change it! ”
I use all my strength to push Titus back and then jump into his space again. I am not caring that I’m screaming and crying at the same time. This night has just been an absolute shit show, and this pain has been festering for quite some time.
“You’re right, but we were focusing on our lives and families. We never stopped caring,” Declan defends.
“You stopped caring a long time ago, Dec. If you did care you would’ve been there.” I push away from Titus.
“I mean the little hellfire has a point,” Killer chimes in. “If you did, you would’ve at least been at the funeral.”
“Dude!” Titus gives him an incredulous look.
I take a deep breath, saying the only thing that pops in my head after the voices quiet, “I need you to walk away. Again.”
“What,” Declan snaps.
“I shouldn’t have even texted you. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“Done.” Killer heads back towards the door.
“They’ll slaughter her.” Declan exclaims.
“Go. NOW,” I scream. Killer with no hesitation, darts out of the room.
Declan walks up and wraps his arms around me, kissing my forehead in farewell. Then he slowly backs away. His eyes scan every inch of my face trying to memorize it. Without a word, he steps out the door and into the dark night.
Titus is just facing me with his arms crossed over his broad chest. I can’t look at him, so instead I just stare out the door trying to hold the tears back.
I know I wanted them to leave but I also texted them just to see someone who I always felt safe with.
It was a selfish move and only put them in danger.
“Fuck this,” he says as he moves in front of me blocking my view of the door.
I still don’t look at him. His finger curls under my chin forcing my head up.
I have no choice but to look into those sad disappointed eyes.
With all the stubbornness I have left, I pop out my hip, cross my arms and lift my chin off his finger.
I decide I’ll look him in the eye, but it’s my choice not his.
“Alley,” he sighs, caressing my cheek with a touch of a lover.
“What,” I roll my eyes in response.
“Look, I know you are going to do what you want. I also know they will catch you no matter what you do or how far you run. Once they have their sights on someone, that person can’t escape them.”
“Well, I fought them off once. I can do it again. Also, I am good at running, remember?” I laugh through the lump in my throat.
“I wouldn’t say you are good at running. Those little corgi legs don’t get you far,” he laughs.
I rush to hug him and bury my face in his chest one last time. I am done with this conversation. He needs to leave before Sebastian comes back for round two.
“I’m sorry, Trouble. You deserved a better life than this one,” He whispers into my hair.
“Thank you for patching me up. Now go get home to your wife. She probably misses you.” I push away trying to clear my tears. He steps back and lets his hands drop to his sides.
“Alley, one last thing, they will break you both mentally and physically,” he warns as he starts to walk towards the door.
“Titus?”
“Yeah?”
“No one can break the devil, but I really want to see them try.”
He chuckles and smiles before he disappears into the night.
Tears silently roll down my face as my heart sinks to the floor, locking the door. I let my back slide down the cold surface, and once my ass hits the carpet I move my knees to my chest and let myself breakdown.
I wasn’t sure how tonight was going to go. Hell, honestly I thought Titus would ignore my text, but he didn’t. I’m not sure if that is a blessing or not. Now I know who is after me and the fear is at an all-time high. Running is not an option; it’ll just put more people in danger.
With a sigh, I bury my head into the crook of my arm and try to breathe. All the faces I’m leaving behind run through my mind. Who knows what they’ll think? Will they look for me? Will they think that I couldn’t take it anymore and went somewhere quiet to die in peace?
I know Marney would be suspicious and raise hell to find me along with my mother, but that would lead to them getting hurt too or worse.
Sebastian would slaughter them just like he did to his roommates and their girlfriends.
I rush to my duffle bag, digging out my phone.
I turn it on and go into the bathroom to splash water on my face and breathe before I make this phone call.
The loud ring goes off when I set it down on the counter. Tears start to fill my eyes again when I see the caller ID. Taking a deep breath trying to control my emotions, I answer the phone.
“Found you, gorgeous. Now, you have two options. Option one, you can come out of the room and surrender willingly.” He pauses, for what I am assuming is for dramatic effect.
“What’s option 2, Sebastian,” I ask, surprisingly calm.
“Clever girl,” he laughs. “Your little boyfriends help you figure it out?”
“What is option 2,” I repeat a little less calmly.
“Option 2 is I bust down that excuse for a door and drag you out kicking and screaming,” his voice darkens. “Your choice.”
“Hmmm,” my turn to pause for dramatic effect. “We both know I never preferred the easy option.”
“People who play with fire tend to get burned gorgeous. I’ll give you a chance to rethink.” I hear the car door open in the background.
“Well then, be prepared to get burned, Sebs,” I say as I hang up, smiling to myself.
My smug smile only lasts about five seconds before I hear the front door slam into the interior wall.