Page 111 of Bitter Truths

Tristan hasn’t said a word, but I feel him.

His body’s angled toward me, still as stone, but I can see it in the way his fingers tap his thigh.

He’s always been the quietest when he’s the angriest.

“It definitely fucking matters.” Owen invades my space, his scent swamping me… dark, possessive, fury turning the blackcurrant acrid.

Freddie’s breath quickens beside me, the couch vibrating with his tension. “Did they hurt you?” His voice cracking on the final word.

I look up, weighing how much to share. The memory rushes back… the sound of a zipper being lowered, the alpha’s hand in my hair, forcing my head back. The terror that paralyzed me... how close I’d come to a reality so much worse than kneeling on glass.

“They wanted to. They didn’t get the chance.”

“What did they look like?” Tristan’s demand holds no trace of his usual casual manner. “Would you recognize them again? We could⁠—”

“It’s been handled,” I interrupt, meeting his eyes.

Every eye is on me, and the air is thick with questions.

“What does that mean?” Freddie asks carefully.

“They won’t be bothering anyone again.”

Understanding dawns across their faces. Their expressions vary from shock to horror.

“You...” Owen paces while staring at me.

A sharp knock at the door interrupts the moment.

Thank fuck.

Weller moves to the door. The waiter wheels in a cart with covered plates, sets it up at the table, then leaves with a generous tip.

“Let’s eat. I’m starving.” My voice sounds too bright, but I’m ready to move on from this topic.

We move to the table in silence. The aromas from beneath the silver covers are mouthwatering.

I dig in, unable to ignore the utter silence.

They watch me like they’re dying for answers... like if they got close enough, they’d tear me open just to see if the girl they knew is still curled up somewhere inside.

The truth is… I don’t know if she is.

I don’t know that I’ll ever feel safe enough to be soft and trusting like that again. I’m not the girl who cowers in fear now… I’m the girl who figures out a way to eliminate the threat.

But if anyone could find her, it would be them.

If they weren’t tethered to a rabid bitch…

The silence becomes unbearable, broken only by silverware scraping against china.

“What are we doing tonight?” I set my fork down. “Watching a movie? More talking?”

Owen snorts. “Like any of us could focus on a movie right now.”

“We could play a game,” I say with a smile that promises trouble.

They groan in unison.