Page 34
Story: Our Little Dove (Hush #2)
A s I sit up, the weight of Fintan’s anger and confusion is palpable in the air around us. His gaze pierces through me - sharp and accusing. I reach up to touch my throbbing head, the lingering effects of the tranquilizer still clouding my mind.
Fintan’s voice cuts through the haze, forcing me to turn and face him.
His eyes are dark pools of emotion, anger simmering just beneath the surface.
“You almost killed yourself,” he says, his voice low and laced with accusation.
“And you nearly took us with you.” I can see his mind racing as he bites the inside of his lip.
My heart pounds in my chest. I knew they would save me, although I was never in any real danger. Fintan’s anger is understandable, perhaps even justified. But there is more to this story, more that he doesn’t yet understand.
I tested them. I had to prove to myself, and them, that they would save me. Now, I can look past what they did to me. I’ve watched them for weeks and I’d need to be blind not to see that they have feelings for each other.
I know so much about them, like how Kieran rubs the back of his neck when he is nervous and Fintan lightly chews on his bottom lip when he concentrates or worries. I probably know their quirks and behaviors better than most.
Using their secret love like that was cruel, but I had to ensure they would trigger the gas.
As Fintan’s words hang heavy in the air, I feel a surge of defiance rising within me.
Yes, it was a risky move, but one that had revealed a truth I couldn’t ignore.
“You saved me,” I begin, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling within me. Kieran steps out of the bathroom, steam clinging to his form as he sees me and rushes over.
I stand up slowly, the room spinning slightly as I try to steady myself. Fintan reaches out a hand instinctively, as if torn between wanting to protect me and wanting to push me away. I can see it in his eyes—the conflict and uncertainty.
“We need each other,” I say, more to reassure myself than him. “I want answers, and you want freedom.”
I can sense the weight of unspoken words hanging between us. Kieran grabs my shoulders, turning me to face him. His eyes burn with urgency, the beautiful green seeming brighter in contrast to the damp hair falling over them as he looks at me.
“Alex,” he whispers, his voice raw and filled with emotion. “How could you do this? You almost fucking killed yourself and put us in danger, too.” Kieran’s voice cracks, and he swallows hard, trying to control his emotions.
Looking into his eyes, I search for any hint of understanding or forgiveness. But all I see is pain and anger. I take a step closer, reaching out to touch his face, but he pulls away.
“Kieran, I had to prove to myself and to you both that you won’t let anything happen to me. You’ve done unforgivable things to me, and I returned the favor. Despite all of that, I grew fond of both of you. The truth is you were never in danger.”
“What?” Fintan growls next to us. “What the fuck do you mean? You were fucking acting?”
I turn to meet his gaze. “No, it wasn’t an act. I injected myself with a tranquilizer and I would have woken up in a few hours. In case my calculations were wrong on the dosage, I set up the gas trigger which would wake me sooner, but I knew you’d try to save me.”
“What the fuck! How were you so sure we would trigger the gas and wake you? What if we didn’t and you never fucking woke up?” Kieran demands, confusion ringing louder than ever in his tone.
“So, this was all a fucking scheme to get us to admit we have feelings for each other? What the fuck is wrong with you?” Fintan hisses.
“Your feelings for each other has been scratching the surface for so long, it didn’t take much to coax them into the light. After digging up some of your past, I knew this would have eaten you both alive and I didn’t want that to happen.”
They remain silent for long moments, letting my words sink in. Kieran steps away from me, his eyes traveling over every inch of me.
“Sure, you did all of this out of the kindness of your heart. Care to enlighten us on how you did not put us in danger?” he sneers, briefly flicking his gaze to Fintan before his eyes are fixed on mine again.
I clear my throat as I walk to the metal chair, still in the middle of the room, and take a seat as I face them.
“I could have faked this whole thing, but I knew you are too smart to think it was real if I wasn’t really unconscious. You would have seen right through it.”
“What if your little trick went sideways? You have the code to the fucking lock on the door, Alex!” Fintan yells, frustrated by my words as he tries to comprehend them.
“Did either of you go upstairs and check the door?” I ask. They share a look, and their eyes widen as they flash with anger.
“You didn’t…because despite what we have done to each other; you trust my word.
There is no keypad on the door, and I haven’t locked it in days.
You didn’t try to leave or even think about going to the door during your panic.
You boys feel the same way I did that day, and your actions have proven that.
We are even,” I say, feeling like a heavy burden has been lifted.
I feel relieved but sadness lingers, lurking in the shadows of my heart. “You are free to go.”
Fintan and I stare at her, the tension in the room seems to stretch on endlessly. I can feel his anger boiling and the heat radiates off his body as he stands, mulling her words over.
I don’t think twice before I bolt toward the staircase and rush up to the door. She was telling the truth, this time.
There is no fucking keypad.
My heart races a million miles per hour as I reach out and grip the handle, swinging the door open with no resistance. She has been manipulating and lying to us for days, maybe even weeks.
I suddenly feel faint and turn to rest my back against the wall, still not daring to set foot through the doorway as I catch my breath.
Did she lie?
Every day, we heard the sound of the deadbolt being locked from outside. However, neither of us bothered to check the door when she started allowing us to explore the room on our own.
Was it a fucking test when she said she has the code to the door?
I turn, pushing off the wall and head back down to the basement. Alex is still seated in her chair and the sight of her makes my heart thud louder. I want to rip her heart out for what she did.
“The door is open, Fin,” I say through gritted teeth. My blood boils in my veins as I scan every inch of her again, the anger nearly evaporates when I see her hazel eyes find mine.
Her newly died hair falls over her face as she leans forward with her elbows on her thighs. The sight nearly makes me wince. But I can’t let her distract me. Not now.
Fintan is seething beside me, his jaw clenched as he watches Alex with a mixture of disbelief and anger. “Let’s fucking go,” he sneers, clearing his throat. “Or I can fuck her within an inch of her life for what she’s put us through!”
I move closer to her, my hands balled into fists at my sides. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away. It’s almost as if she’s daring me to do something. “Do what you want. I’m done with her. I’m fucking leaving,” I growl, letting my emotions take their toll.
“You manipulated us,” I say, the words heavy with accusation. Her lips curl into a sad smile, and I don’t fucking buy it. I realize that this was all a game to her. She got her revenge.
“Did you really think we would just walk away; knowing now that we were not actually trapped? Locked up like fucking animals?” Fintan’s voice is cold, cutting through the tense air like a knife.
Alex meets his gaze unwaveringly before turning to look at me again. “You chose not to attempt an escape whether you want to admit it or not, but like I said, we’re even. I am giving you a chance to leave, now go,” she says softly.
“Fintan, let’s go!” I yell, starting toward the stairs. “For what it’s worth, I am grateful that you saved me and unlike you, I do feel some remorse for what I have done to you,” she mutters as Fintan turns to follow me out.
“There are duffle bags by the front door. Your phones, keys and clothes are inside. I’ll be in touch when I need more answers,” she says, following us out of the basement. “Like hell you will!” Fintan growls as he pushes past me in the hallway.
“Don’t call or text, we are fucking done here,” I growl, not daring to look at her as Fintan and I finally leave the basement for the first time since she brought us here.
Table of Contents
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- Page 34 (Reading here)
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