Page 78 of The Betrayal You Serve

Falling back into bed, I pull the sheets up around me and think back to yesterday.

She was the last thing I expected when Kyle announced he had a surprise waiting for me but fuck if it wasn't exactly what I needed.

Talking things out, telling her what I'd done and how I really felt was like this massive weight lifted off my shoulders. Yeah, I've still got a hell of a lot to worry about seeing as I single-handedly just made my life implode with this decision. But I have no doubt that it'll be worth it.

Rolling over onto my side, I press my nose into her pillow and breathe in her scent.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about what comes next. I know I brushed Letty's concerns about Victor under the carpet but the fact of it is, his threat is still very real.

His warning of me walking away might’ve been him pulling the rug out from under my feet with MKU but he's Victor fucking Harris. Ruthless, blood-hungry, psychotic gang boss. There's no way he's going to let me walk away without a fight whether I'm dangling Alana's safety in front of him or not.

I'm going to need to do better than that if I'm going to convince him that I can turn my back while keeping everything I know about him and his men locked up tight.

No one walks away from Victor Harris and lives to tell the tale. Hell, I've been involved in ensuring that doesn't happen more times than I'm willing to count. But I’m determined to make this happen.

I will be the one who got out of the Creek, got away from the Hawks and made something of my life.

I will.

Throwing back the covers, I pull on a clean pair of boxers and head out. The house is silent but when I glance through the kitchen window, I spot Letty's hair and realize that she's on the swing on the porch.

Making use of the bathroom, I make us both coffee and head out. The sound of her soft voice as I pull the door open makes my steps falter.

"Mom, I know. Yes. Yes. You didn't have to say it," she mutters with a laugh that makes something flutter in my stomach.

"Well, sometimes you just can't help it. I'm sure you're well aware of that."

"Do you think—" She falls silent as she listens. "Okay yeah. Okay. Sounds good." Pause. "I'm not sure. Tonight or maybe first thing in the morning. I have no idea if he's got any plans."

I take a couple of steps forward, my need to see her too strong and I come to a stop at the corner of the house and run my eyes over her.

She's curled up on the swing in one of my hoodies, her entire body, legs included, is hidden beneath the fabric. She's got a soft smile on her face as she listens to whatever Jada is saying, her face is free from makeup and her hair is piled wildly on top of her head. I'm not sure she's ever looked so beautiful.

The cool morning air bites into my skin as I stand there, but there's no way I'm moving right now, not when the sight is so breathtaking.

How did I do this? I don't deserve for her to look at me twice, let alone for her to be here and fighting for me right now.

There's a part of me that wants to go over and rip the cell from her ear and demand she lets me handle everything, but I already know how that would go. She's not going to let this lie. She wants to help, and I want to make her happy so…

Sensing my presence, she glances up at me. A small gasp passes her lips before the corners pull into a beautiful smile that makes my chest ache.

"I-I need to go, he's awake." Chemistry crackles between us as our eyes hold. "Okay, speak soon. Thank you, Mom."

She hangs up and lowers her cell, neither of us saying anything for the longest time as we just soak each other in.

"You're still here," I say, like an idiot when I finally feel the need to break the silence.

"Where else would I be?"

"Running back to Maddison because you realized you fucked up agreeing to stay here."

"Huh, that's funny because I don't actually remember agreeing to anything," she deadpans.

"You're right. You didn't have a choice. I'd have locked you up here and made you see the error in your ways eventually."

"Like kidnap me?" she asks, obvious excitement shining in her eyes.

"If that's what it takes." Images of Reid's basement and Alana in one of his torture chambers pop into my mind but I force it out.