Page 73 of Pretty Broken Wings

There’s a stunned silence.

“But you have to keep the fact that Axel was a goddamn idiot between us. You can beat his ass in private for all I care, but legal action would be off the table.”

The bag of food crinkles as she shifts it, but I won’t look at her. I can’t until the last words are out of my mouth.

“But if you stay and help me until my glasses come in,” I suck in a breath, then rattle off a number that would not only buy her a house but also a car, a new identity, and fuck, even a trip out of the country.

I hold my breath for a second. I tell myself it doesn’t matter what she picks.

It doesn’t matter, right?

So why can’t I get my heart to stop racing?

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

I hear my brother’s offer from my spot in the living room, and it makes me tense. Every muscle is locked up tight, and it feels like the whole world is suspended for her response. The only sound is Buddy’s panting and thetick, tick, tickof the clock.

Gage offered her an insane amount of money. A huge portion of our life savings.

She’ll take it, right?

My stomach twists. She refused when I offered her job back.

I want her to take the money. Not because I’m worried about her going to the cops. Fuck those pigs. Everyone knows charges don’t stick to money.

No, not for that reason. But because I want her here, with us. Under my brother’s roof. Where we can keep an eye on her and weasel our way into her very psyche. Give me a few weeks, and she won’t remember what her life was like without me. And if she tries to, I’ll love-bomb her with so many good memories that she’ll begin to wonder if the past was just a dream.

Maybe one day she’ll realize what I did, and she’ll hate me, but I’m okay with that. She’ll be mine.

Finally, I hear her pretty, raspy voice. “Gage?”

“Yeah?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Then, Raven stomps down the hall. I can’t see much, but I can tell by the motion that she passes me on the couch. I dart to my feet.

Gage comes beside me, grabbing my arm and holding me tight. “Wait,” he mutters.

“She’s leaving–”

I hear the jingle of the keys, and Buddy’s claws scrape as she runs for the door. Then, the front door slams, and Raven is gone.

I rip away from him. “You’re just going to let her walk away?”

“Yes.” Gage grinds out the word like it pains him.

“You can’t just let her get away.” I shake his arm off. Gage doesn’t let me go, and this time, I swing on him. He ducks, and I reach for his glasses. With his hand holding me, he can’t keep me from snatching them off his face.

“You can’t stop her,” Gage hisses. “You want to add another kidnapping charge?”

“If I have one, what’s two?” I put the glasses on my face.

“I won’t fucking help you.”

“I don’t need your help.” I yank my arm away from him. “She’s going to run.” I take a few steps toward the door. Raven’s getting away; I don’t have time for this.

“Leave her alone.” Suddenly, Gage is beside me.