Page 10 of Past

“We are so fucking close to being free, Izzy,” Sebastian says harshly and sighs slightly, pulling himself out of a memory before grabbing my hand.

I can feel the tears running down my cheeks, and I try to look away at the wooden floor. I feel Luke sit next to me, and he soon pulls me into his shoulder for a hug.

We don't say anything for a while as I calm down before Sebastian says, “Let’s eat while you think, sis.”

Everyone starts eating. I feel sorry for them, wondering how they cope. Fighting is dangerous, as I saw the other night, and our dad did that to people.Why did he?The question rolls around in my head, but looking at my brothers’ faces, I can’t ask them.

I don't want to show them pity, as I feel they wouldn't want that, but if they owed the debt, does that mean I do, too? I am guessing that's why they don't want me involved, as well as it being clearly dangerous. I’m taking a wild guess that not everyone likes getting beat all the time, and I would be an easy revenge.

I smile as Luke hands me a plate loaded with pizza. I pick at a piece of pizza, not really feeling it, but I don’t want to disappoint the boys. Luke pours me a drink and passes it to me with a smile, which I return.

“So, you’re close to finishing your fighting in The Cage?” I ask, despite the fact I'm sure they are.

“Yes, can I ask you a question now?” Harley asks in a stern, parental voice that reminds me of how my mother used to sound before I was told off as a child.

I shift uncomfortably before saying,“Yes, I guess.” I’m hoping it’s nothing to do with Blake as I’m not ready to tell them. I understand why Blake wouldn’t tell me, and he is right that this is their story to tell. I’m happy he has stuck by them through all of this, and it reminds me what a great guy he is.

“Who took you? We know nearly everyone in this town, and I can't think of anyone who would be stupid enough to take you. They don't care about you if they did,” he says, as his eyes flash in anger, not at me, but at the idea of someone putting me in danger.

“No one took me. I followed you that night, but I was lucky when Tristan bumped into me outside. Tris looked after me and then took me home when he could,” I say, almost whispering because, hell, they are intimidating, all staring at me in anger.

Sebastian drops his pizza on the floor, looking shell-shocked, and I try not to smile at that.

“Shit,” Sebastian says with a groan, picking it up and putting it in the box. Luke smirks before he looks away.

“That was stupid of you, Izzy, but I guess you never heard the saying, ‘curiosity killed the cat’?” Harley says while shaking his head. I can see how angry he is.

“Lucky I'm not a cat, then,” I mutter, making Luke laugh loudly before putting a hand over his mouth, holding it back and looking away.

“Seb, thank Tristan when you see him, yeah?” Harley says and stands up, looking more tired than I’ve ever seen him.

“Izzy, you need to stay away from The Cage and all things near it. If Arthur finds out about you, he will ask us to fight for longer, or worse, expect you to pay him in some way. It's only a few more fights to win, and then we can tell him to fuck off,” he says and walks over to me, kneeling down to my level on the floor so he is directly in my face.

“Promise me you won't go near there, Izzy.” he demands, staring at me and daring me to say no or to lie to him. Harley is right. It's far more dangerous than I realised, and the boss could make me pay. I don’t want to test the theory that much.

“I promise, Harley,” I say, locking eyes with his matching ones, and smile gently at him.

He nods, standing up, and walks to the door. “I’ve got to go out. I’ll see you all later,” he says before shutting the door.

“Me, too. I’ve got things to do. Can you call Blake? He hasn’t answered my calls all day,” Elliot says to Sebastian, as I try not to blush.

“Sure, will do,” Sebastian says, not looking at me, but I lift my gaze to see Luke looking at me strangely before he looks away as Elliot walks out.

“Well, now that they’re gone, do you want to play Xbox?” Luke asks, and I nod my head as Sebastian grins at me.

“I guess I could spend time kicking your asses,” I say, giggling, and we spend the next few hours with me beating them.

Honestly, men are sore losers because a few games in and they are swearing they won't play with me again, but I see their smiles, which gives away that they will. I end up falling asleep on the sofa, and one of the boys must put me to bed.

I wake up Saturday with plans to go to Harley’s gym and have a look around. After I show interest at what his gym is like, Harley says there is a swimming pool. So I pack my swimsuit and dress in blue skinny jeans and a white top that says ‘I should still be in bed.’ I slip on my blue, ballet shoes as I decide to send Tilly an email, replying to her questions before going downstairs.

Tilly

Guess what I’m not anymore? I have a hot boyfriend and I didn’t know sex could be that great. I know what you were going on about now! I really think I’m falling for him.

I need a phone call to discuss this with you!

My brothers are amazing. We all get along well. Elliot doesn’t speak to me much but seems to care in his own way.