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A distressed sound escapes me. None of what I’ve heard or seen makes it seem like they are against me, and yet, I can't know for certain.
“Will someone just tell me what has happened and who Josiah is trying to kill?” Tanner asks.
Josiah fills him in on what has happened, and he turns to me with an incredulous expression before turning to Rueben.
“What are we going to do about all of this? We can't hide her forever.”
Rueben nods, scratching his chin. “You’re right. We can’t. We need to find a way to put an end to this once and for all so that she can go on and live her life without any restrictions.”
Their actions anger me. “You’re speaking about me as if I’m not here.”
My words end in a whimper, and instead of responding to the anger that’s spilled into my words, the guys’ faces take up sad and concerned expressions.
“Amelia.” Rueben comes up to me and takes my hands. He rubs them gently, soothing away the tension in my folded fists until I release them in his palms.
“Today didn’t turn out like you wished it would, did it?” he smiles sadly. “I’m sorry. What was supposed to be a fun day turned out to be a terrible one for you.”
My lips wobble at his words, but I hold back my tears. I’ve tried so hard not to think about how I was betrayed and how my father had experienced the same, but it’s almost impossible not to.
I don't know what I would do if it turned out that they were betraying me as well. He pulls me forward until I’m pressed against him and lifts me up, carrying me to the sofa, where the guys surround me.
Tanner sits at the end, his eyes boring into mine, although he remains silent and allows the others to take care of me.
Josiah’s expression is serious as he pulls off my wig and jacket. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, and I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing.
A chilling realization hits me as I sit there, surrounded by the men who have come to mean so much to me in such a short span of weeks, and yet, they were men who could well be toying with my emotions and could break me.
I’m falling for them. For all of them.
Chapter 21
Amelia
It’s been a few weeks since the unfortunate event at Rueben’s bike shop, and the guys have tried everything they can to make me forget it.
Despite their best efforts, nothing has worked so far. I’m grateful for all they have done to cheer me up; I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have them helping me with all of this.
I owe a lot to them. They not only rescued me and put themselves at risk, but they also did a lot to make sure that I was safe, and have been entertaining me so much.
I roll out of bed, exhausted. I hadn’t been able to get much sleep last night and this morning is no better. My head feels about ready to implode, my body aches, and I’m just so irritable.
Nausea hits me just as I stand up, and I sit back down as the lightheaded feeling causes my head to spin.
I muster up the strength to leave my bedroom, taking it as slow as I possibly can. For the past few days, I’ve been hiding my sudden illness from the guys, as it will only make them worry when there’s absolutely no need for any of that.
So far, they have attributed my quietness and lack of energy to the encounter with Jared. I can't say that that hasn’t contributed to my tiredness and sickness, or that it isn’t even the cause of it.
I walk with slow steps to the living room, where I can hear the guys’ voices as they discuss me. I stop and listen. From where I'm standing, I can see them seated.
Rueben is shirtless, revealing his tattooed body as he sharpens the edge of his dagger.
On the couch is Josiah, his broad shoulders bulging out from his white vest.
Leaning against the wall beside them is Tanner, with a Rubik's cube in his hands. He is tactically rolling and adjusting the edges to solve the puzzle. He's wearing a white T-shirt that hugs his skin and exposes his fit frame.
I’m reminded once again just how attractive these men are.
Despite my gratitude for them saving me and doing everything in their power to keep me safe, there’s still a little part of me that remains reserved in my decision to trust them.
