Page 161 of Pretty Broken Wings

I can’t run. I won’t leave them alone right now.

So I drive back to the house, sucking in breath after breath, trying to collect myself. I know this is the right choice. I feel it deep down in my bones.

Doesn’t stop me from shaking a little.

When I step back into the house with my flowers, the door opens while I’m pushing it. I bump into someone – Axel – as he tries to leave.

Axel fixes me with a wild look, and suddenly, his hand is around my throat, and he’s spinning me, shoving me backwards. His hand comes between my head and the wall, and then he’s pushing me into it, demanding, “Where the hell did you go?”

“I–” The flowers are getting crushed, but Axel just presses me in harder. Then Gage appears, hair messy and a panicked look in his eyes.

“Get off me!” I try to push Axel’s hand away enough to breathe. He’s strong. He isn’t hurting me, but spots are starting to form in my vision.

“You can’t run from us.” Axel’s voice is panicked.

I try to argue, but I can’t breathe.

Then, Axel smashes his lips into mine. He kisses me in a crushing, brutal way, pressing into me until all I can focus on ishim. Axel. The smell of mint and the feel of his strong body up against me. For a second, I relax into him.

“Let go of her.”

There’s a flash of movement, and then Axel is ripped off me. I suck in a breath. There’s an immediate emptiness.

“Raven! No one’s going to hurt you.” Gage is right there, eyes wild. He’s so close that I can feel his breath on my skin while he holds Axel back.

I slide along the wall, getting out of Axel’s reach. Once I’ve stepped into the living room and neither of them gets any closer, I feel the wash of adrenaline sweep over me.

I glance back at the back door, then force myself to take a breath.

“Princess.” Gage’s voice is sad. I snap my gaze up, realizing both he and Axel watched me look at the back door. Gage is sad, and Axel is…afraid. Buddy is standing there, looking conflicted.

“Are you okay?” Gage asks.

No? And shouldn’t I be asking them that question?

“Raven,” Axel’s fists are clenched, but Gage no longer has to hold him back. “Fuck, I’m sorry. You scared me, and I freaked out.”

Wait. That came from Axel? It sounds like something Gage would say.

I look between the two men. Did I mix them up?

“Please don’t run.” It’s Axel. Again. He’s asking nicely?

His eyes are tense, and his whole body is vibrating. “Fuck, you scared me so bad.”

“Both of us.” Gage runs a hand through his hair. His sleeve is covered in dried, flaky blood.

“Are you okay?” I ask, suddenly sucking in a breath. Blood. Gage is bloody.

I dart forward, examining his arm.

“I’m fine.” Gage grabs my exploring hands, gripping them tightly. “Are you okay? Where did you go?”

I suck in a breath. “I went to get flowers…” I glance around, seeing the crushed bouquet on the floor.

“Flowers?” Gage frowns.

“Yeah, for… ‘cause of Rich…”