Page 39 of Doxed

I toss our empty takeout containers in the trash and put the rest of Briar’s order in the fridge. She definitely ordered more than she could eat, but I'd buy it all ten times over if she said she wanted it.

“I want to go home.” She crosses her arms and holds my gaze.

Licking my lips, because I know she’s not going to like this. I lean my forearms against the countertop. “You can’t go home.”

“Bullshit!” She hops down from the barstool and storms to me. “I’m done with you controlling me like some fucking doll. Either take me home or I’ll steal another one of your cars and go on my own.”

I can't help it, I snap. I firmly grasp her shoulders and push her against the counter, bending her backwards so her shoulders rest against it.

I said I couldn't imagine my life without her, not that she still wasn't an impulsive brat.

She sucks in a gasp as she stares at me with wide eyes and I take slow breaths as I return her stare.

“You can't go home. You’re not safe anywhere, not even here. The men I sold you to might come looking for you; they paid a lot for you.”

Tears fill her eyes and her plush bottom lip wobbles. “Why did you do this to me?”

I sag against her body, resting my head on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Briar. I died with my parents, and I convinced myself that the only way to bring myself back was to avenge them.

And when your dad died, you were the only living person I could transfer my pain and anger to.

” I pause, not wanting to admit what I'm about to, but I know I have to.

I have to bare it all right now. “I thought it was the perfect plan. To take someone from him, someone he held so dear. But I was wrong. I tricked you into coming into my home and though I had nefarious intentions, you brought light into my life after I had lived it entirely in the dark.” I lift my head and run my thumb over her pale cheeks, wiping away her tears.

It makes me feel like more of a piece of shit when I notice that her normally flushed and tan complexion is pale and shadowed.

“These walls had never known laughter and happiness.

I had never known soft edges and silky hair.

You changed my life and I'm sorry that I didn't realize it until it was too late.”

I hold her gaze, because it is most important that she knows this.

“I know that what I did to you is unforgivable, but I hope that in time I'm able to earn your trust and forgiveness; starting with tracking down all the women you worked with and trying to take down the men at the top of the trafficking ring that took them.” Releasing a long sigh, I continue with the part that I'm dreading the most. “And then, when the dust has settled and you’re safe, I’ll take you wherever you want to go and you can decide what comes next for you and if there’s a future for us. ”

Her eyes bounce between mine, like she’s looking for the punchline, for the other shoe to drop, but there isn’t one. “What are you saying?” she asks, her voice wavering.

Licking my lips, I lay it out for her as plainly as I can. “I’m saying that I care about you a lot and I’m going to do whatever I can to prove that to you and to apologize for my mistake. Even if that means letting you go in the end.”

She clears her throat, averting her eyes from mine. “I want to go to bed.”

I push off of her and back away from the counter. “I understand.” Briar straightens, wrapping her arms around herself. “You can have my room.” Her brows pull together, so I continue, “So you know you aren’t being watched.”

She nods once and walks past me to the stairs, leaving me in the quiet of my house once more, but at least now it has a sliver of her warmth back in it.