Page 128 of Pretty When She Breaks

Shock was the only thing keeping me still right now. I tried to focus on the task in front of me.

It was a nasty wound, and would scar, but someone had given it stitches already.

I could do first aid. Keeping my hands busy was better than just sitting there, completely lost as to what to say.

So I worked, cleaning and redressing the wound.

“They found me down there,” she said eventually. She waslooking at the wall, her face expressionless. “And I couldn’t…I couldn’t leave. I couldn’t get to my phone, not with them watching.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said, my voice hoarse. “I should have listened to you. I got them away as soon as I could, but I know it was too late.”

She remained still, face blank. Of course that wasn’t enough; I wasn’t sure anything would be enough to make this right. But I was going to try.

I sank to my knees in front of her and pressed my hands to the floor, sinking down in a bow. My heart was heavy in my chest, squeezing with an unrelenting force that was causing me to sink lower than I ever had before, until my forehead almost touched the ground. My glasses slid down my face, but I made no move to fix them yet.

“I’ve failed you as your alpha and as your pack lead,” I said, keeping my position. My hands trembled against the floor. “You should have been mine to care for and honour, but instead, I chained you and called you my enemy. And then, when I should have admitted my mistake, I sought to cover my own shame. I was supposed to protect you, but I was the one who put you in harm’s way. For that, I’m sorry.”

“Finch,” she said, nudging me with her foot.

I raised myself up a bit to meet her eyes, my glasses slipping back into place. Her expression wasn’t blank anymore, now showing a hint of the anger I knew I deserved.

“I know I don’t deserve your trust or respect,” I said, moving my hand to press over my heart. “But I promise I will do my best to make this right. I release you from all my commands. If you want to walk away from all this, I understand. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re safe.”

It hurt to say, because I didn’t know how we would free Ocean without her. But I knew it was the right thing to do.

She sat up straighter, a frown on her face. “I’m not going anywhere. You’d never get Ocean out without me.”

I rose up so I was sitting on my legs. “We’ll manage. You’ve suffered enough.”

“That implies I’m a helpless victim,” she said, her voice hardening. “And let me be clear about something, Finch. I’m not helpless. I’ve clawed every inch of influence I have here with my sweat and blood. If you think I’m walking away from this, you’re wrong. I’m going to find out what happened to my brother. And I’m going to get Ocean out of here—not because you told me to, but because I want to. I’m glad you’re ready to start listening to me, because you’ve already fucked things up enough with your bullheadedness.”

She stood up, only wincing slightly as she shrugged on her hoodie again.

“Thank you for dressing the wound. I’m going to follow up on our lead for how to treat Ocean. I’ve confirmed a case of a feral alpha who made a full recovery. Plus, he’s connected to a professor of Arkology, so we can avoid any medical personnel or records. I’ll let you know what I find.”

With that, she left me kneeling on the floor as she swept out of my villa.

I closed my eyes, shoulders slumping. I didn’t deserve her help, but she was offering it, anyway. Laurel, beaten but not broken. Holding her head high as she walked amongst the wolves.

SEVENTY-ONE

LAUREL

I rang the doorbell, examining my reflection in the glass in front of me. I barely recognized myself. My hair was still in a messy bun, and I didn’t have any makeup on. I’d stolen a band tee and hoodie from Kaos and thrown on a pair of grey sweatpants to complete my utterly exhausted look.

I wasn’t sure if the Kingsman omega was territorial, so I’d figured it was a good thing that I looked as non-threatening as possible. I was wearing scent blockers and clutched a tray of different sugary coffees in my hands.

The door opened and a tall, scary-looking alpha appeared. His eyes narrowed, and all the rumours I’d heard about the Kingsman pack came to the forefront of my mind.

None of them were good.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m here to visit Ransom? He’s an old friend.”

It was true enough. Rich people didn’t have acquaintances; everyone we met was an old friend until deemedotherwise. Ransom and I had attended a few of the same events when we were younger and had talked once or twice.

“And you are?”