Page 37 of Traitorous Lies (Prey Security: Charlie Team #6)

Stepping into the cover of the trees, Monique was infinitely glad that this morning she’d been able to walk across the open field and not run like her instincts were driving her to do.

Practicing keeping herself under tight control was imperative going forward.

It was the only way she would survive without her rescue and her solitude.

As soon as she told her grandparents she was ready to marry whoever they chose for her, she was sure she’d be married within the year, and her life as she’d always known it, always dreamed of it, would be over.

Tears burned the backs of her eyes, and now that she was out of sight from anyone who might be watching from the mansion’s windows, she ran between the trees until she came to the little spot she’d found out there.

Even though she knew she wouldn't be there for much longer, this spot had begun to feel like hers. It was just a tiny clearing, no more than five feet across, but perfectly round. In the middle was a huge rock that warmed with the sun’s rays, making it the perfect place to sit and cry, allowing the woods to absorb her pain.

Cry is exactly what she did .

Letting all the pain and disappointment inside her, all the words she wouldn't allow herself to say out loud, to come pouring out.

Normally, she wasn't a big crier. After being abducted as a teenager and having her grandparents basically tell her to get over it, deal with it, and don’t let anyone know she was suffering, she’d learned it wasn't worth the effort.

But these last twenty-four hours, it felt like she’d shed a lifetime of tears.

She’d just let them fall where no one could see or hear.

Thankfully, her new bedroom was on the second floor, which meant she had the entire floor to herself, so she didn't have to worry about anyone overhearing. Still she’d mostly cried in the shower, and then once she curled up under the covers in the huge antique canopy bed.

Now, alone and surrounded by nothing but trees, she didn't hold back.

All that anger at Jax flooded out of her.

Her mind raged with all the words she wanted to say to him.

How could he do that to her? How could he listen to her talk about her deepest pain and pretend that he understood, that he saw her, the real her, only to then throw it back in her face?

Why would he do that? She’d done everything he asked of her, and that phone call had been for them, she already knew her dad was no rapist.

It wasn't only Jax she was angry with, though.

It was herself as well.

Fool me once, shame on you, but fool me twice, shame on me.

How could she not see through Jax’s facade? How could she be stupid enough to give him a second chance? How could she be there alone when he had his entire family and she had no one?

Only suddenly she got the feeling she wasn't actually alone.

Glancing up from where she’d pressed her face against the tops of her knees as she wept, Monique saw a figure sitting on the ground, leaning against the closest tree. Immediately, she recognized Lion’s wild mane of hair, so she wasn't afraid for her safety. She was, however, immensely embarrassed.

She’d only let go, allowed her emotions to burst free because she thought she was alone. If she’d known that Lion was nearby, she would have gone up to her room instead and prayed that Jax didn't come looking for her.

Was this Lion’s special place too?

Was she intruding on it by being there?

That was the last thing she wanted to do. These guys were doing a wonderful thing by taking in the entire Charleston Holloway family, letting all those people intrude on the tranquility they’d created.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, wiping away the tears still streaming down her cheeks with the back of her hand. Not that it seemed to do any good. As soon as she wiped some away more took their place.

Lion didn't say anything, but he looked up from whatever he held in his hands and shot her a look that she interpreted as one telling her she didn't need to apologize.

For some reason, she didn't feel awkward around this man, even though he was huge and definitely gave off an intimidating vibe. Jax had told her to leave these guys alone as much as possible, but she hadn't asked Lion to sit there while she cried, and she couldn’t help but notice that he’d put himself in a spot between her and the mansion, almost as though he was keeping guard.

“Is this your spot?” she asked.

His unusual eyes met hers, and again she sensed that he was seeing more than just her. That he was looking right down into her soul. “Yes.”

“I didn't mean to intrude on it.”

“It’s fine.”

“Do you want me to leave?” As much as she felt safe in this tiny little clearing with the late fall sun shining right down on her, she didn't want to take over Lion’s special place.

“No.”

With that single word, he went back to whatever he’d been doing as he watched over her while she sobbed. Now that the tears were finally slowing down, Monique could see that he held a piece of wood in his hand and that he was using a small knife to whittle away at it.

Curiosity got the best of her, and she slid off the large rock and took a step closer. “What are you making?”

Instead of answering with words, he lowered the knife and held up the piece of wood.

It looked like he was carving it into the shape of a hedgehog.

Was it because of her? Did he somehow know about Cinderella?

Her heart ached at the thought of her little baby not being by her side, but she knew whoever she wound up being married off to wasn't likely to think a pet hedgehog was cute.

“A hedgehog,” she whispered, and he nodded. “Why?”

“You know why.”

“How do you know about Cinderella?”

“You know that as well.”

Did she?

Did he mean Jax?

“He told you,” she said softly. That surprised her.

She knew he’d been doing little things for her, cooking food he knew were her favorites, having pink sheets delivered to her room, having her favorite music playing in the common spaces, her favorite flowers sitting in vases, her favorite perfume turning up in her bathroom.

So many little things, all based on bits and pieces she’d told him about herself while they were walking through the forest in France.

He’d remembered every single one of them.

“Why?”

Lion cocked his head, studying her. “You know why.”

“I don’t,” she said on a sob, and her eyes grew watery again.

“Because he’s an idiot, but he’s an idiot who cares about you.”

“If he cared, why would he say such mean things to me?”

“Because sometimes when we’re angry or scared, we say or do things we don’t mean.”

“Are you talking from experience?”

Lion gave a single nod.

“I don’t think I can let myself trust him again, believe him,” she admitted. “I did that once, and it backfired. Now it feels like he’s just playing nice to use me for information, like he planned to all along.”

“Jax is an idiot, but he’s a good guy. You don’t have to trust him again. That’s your choice. But believe this. If he weren't a good guy, he would have taken his revenge on your father any way he could.”

Monique gulped, understanding what he was saying even though he hadn't said the words aloud. “You mean by hurting me. ”

“Instead of doing that, he’s protected you every way he knew how. He was a jerk to say those things to you, and you should make him grovel before you accept his apology, but never forget what kind of man he is.”

There was something else she understood even though he hadn't said the words aloud. “Lion, what are you going to do to the people who hurt you and your team?”

“Get revenge any way we can.”

With those words, he pushed the wooden hedgehog into her hands and stood, walking away and disappearing into the thick woods.

What he’d said was true. Jax and his family believed her father was guilty.

If they just wanted revenge, they could take it out on her, after all, she was alone out there with them, and she’d been alone in the forest with Jax in France.

Mostly alone again when she was at her rescue and Jax was watching over her from his car.

It wasn't enough to make her let go of the hurt and anger, but it was enough to make her think seriously about her next move.