Page 35 of Crave

There was a tiny shake of her head as though she didn’t believe what we were saying. But she would…soon enough.

“Now move.” Theo dragged her from the wall and shoved her hard.

She stumbled sideways, frantically scanning my brothers behind me. “Gabe…please.”

“He’s not going to help you.” I stepped into her line of sight and jerked my gaze toward the den. “Not anymore.”

Chapter Nine

ANGELICA

Silas jerkedhis head toward the den. “You can walk on your own, or I can drag you. It’s up to you.”

No.

No. No. No.

This wasn’t happening.

I caught Gabe’s wide eyes behind him. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

There was pain in his stare. Desperate, cutting pain. Still, he didn’t come to my defense, staying silent as Silas stepped closer, driving me along the hallway, but as I turned I caught Lincoln at the rear of them, those dark eyes fixed on mine.

I only wanted to say goodbye. Tears welled in my eyes, until I bit down on the inside of my cheeks, stopping the ache in the back of my throat. I should’ve left when I had the chance. I should’ve grabbed my bag and called the shelter. I could’ve been milesfrom here by now. I could’ve been…no one and lost in a sea of those desperate to escape.

My back skimmed the wall before I turned and scanned the hallway, desperately seeking a way out.

“You run and you won’t get far.” Silas warned. “You don’t want me tackling you to the ground now, do you?”

The thought of him crashing into me was terrifying. He’d be cruel…because that’s who he was when it came to me. My chest tightened with the thought, almost feeling the weight of him on top of me. My gaze went to the doorway of the den as my knees trembled.

Don’t let them see you’re scared. Mom’s words suddenly rose inside me.You’re an Ares, Angel. That’s who you are and Ares don’t break for anyone, just remember that.I stopped walking, dragging in a hard breath and straightened my spine.

No.

We don’t break…not even when it comes to our own.

I fixed my gaze on that doorway and forced myself to move. My knees stopped trembling as I walked in and stopped in the middle of the room before I turned to face my accusers. Silas eyes shone in the murky amber light. This wasn’t a room I came to often. It was a masculine room, dark, gloomy, the air tinged with the faint scent of expensive cigars. Deals were made in this room, secrets too…

“We want the truth and we want it now.” Silas strode closer, bearing down on me.

The others flanked each side of him and stood there staring at me silently. Even Lincoln. My face grew hot as I glanced at him.

“We know you’re lying.” He held my stare. “Where were you on the day of the attack?”

I shook my head. “What?” I glanced at my brothers. “I told you and the police. I was here.”

He took a step. “Doing what?”

My cheeks grew hotter. “I was…I was with mom.”

Promise me…Mom’s faint voice tried to push it. But I kept it at bay, focusing on the men in front of me. Men who were once family.

“And what were you doing?”

He thought we were scheming, was that it? Scheming the murder of our father. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? You have to be doing something.”