Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
MADDISON
I don't know what to think or how to feel. Hades is wrapped around me, keeping me warm and protecting me from the three guys who just ripped my world apart. I had no idea where the hell I was running to, but I just knew I needed to be somewhere I felt safe and Hades has always made me feel that way. I put my lion in a position today that I never should have, he could have turned on me because I hadn’t earned his trust back.
I knew in my gut that he wouldn’t hurt me because Cam and Royce were right behind me and his first instinct will always be to protect those in his pride.
I lean back against him and run my hand along his fur, relishing in the feeling of having him close to me again.
I never realized it until now how lost I felt without him near me.
If this lion could talk he would have the power to destroy me with all the secrets I have told him.
He was the first person I told about Cam and I sleeping together.
He was also the first to hear me confess my attraction to Royce and Derek.
I told him how I had feelings for Cam, Derek and Royce and that I was scared about how deeply I had felt for them.
“My life is a clusterfuck right now, Hades.” He lets out a long yawn, earning a scowl from me.
“How can you be tired right now when my life is falling apart?” The little shit flicks his tail which catches me in the side of the face.
I growl and flop back against his side, loving how he grunts from the force.
“Well, that will teach you not to dismiss a lady when she is having a shit time with her life,” I scold him.
I know I can’t stay out here all night, but the thought of having to face Joanne and watch her fawn all over Derek, while I am forced to sit there and watch has my stomach tying itself in knots.
After the way he touched me and spoke to me the other night, I don’t think I can go back to pretending I don’t have feelings for him.
Cam said that Royce and Derek feel the same way about me but they have never done anything to show me, aside from that bold move the other night, where I ran to meet my masked men so they could take the edge off.
Just the memory of what they do to me every night has me clenching my thighs together to try and dull the ache. I close my eyes and relive some of my memories of them. I love when the three of them push me to my knees and force their cocks into my mouth?—
Sinner.
I jerk upright and stare wide eyed ahead as I recall memories of my masked men calling me sinner.
“Holy fuck!” I hiss into the darkness, all this time I never fucking put it together because of the fucking cock piercings.
I knew Cameron and Derek never had their cocks pierced, but what if they got it done while I was gone?
Or was one of those Royce’s dick? No, it wasn’t Royce’s because I saw his when Cameron was on his knees blowing him.
“It’s them,” I breathe out, that’s why they never came to the rescue when I screamed for them.
Holy shit.
I may be pissed off and angry with Derek but I want to know. No, I need to know the truth. I turn and run a hand through my boy’s mane, then place a kiss on the side of his face.
“Wish me luck, I’m about to go and turn some lives upside down, but I promise I’ll never leave you again, Hades,” I vow, then make my way out of the woods.
My anxiety has me in a chokehold and nerves are strangling the air from my lungs.
Confronting the three of them and accusing them of being the three masked men that have been fucking me every single night is a huge risk.
What if I’m wrong?
The thought hits me with so much power that I slam to a halt. What if I am wrong and I go in there accusing them of wearing masks while they fuck me and I’m not right?
The thought vanishes from my mind when I see a lone figure against the fence.
I nibble my lip nervously. I square my shoulders and hold my head high as I make my way toward him.
The moon offers enough light for me to see who it is as I draw near.
It surprises me when I see it isn’t Cameron waiting for me.
“Sinner.” Royce’s gruff tone washes over me as I stop a few feet away from the fence. Royce’s gaze darts over my shoulder and I know without needing to look that Hades is coming.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
He releases a breath and stabs a hand through his hair.
I can see he is clearly uncomfortable about something but I refuse to fill the silence.
“Cam and I had no idea that Derek was still in contact with your mother.” The truth is clear in his words and knowing that him and Cameron didn’t betray me has some of the tension fleeing my body.
“Is that the only reason you’ re out here?” I push.
His gaze locks with mine and I can see a range of emotions swirling in the depths of those brown eyes. “No. I’ve been out here for hours waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“Because I needed to know you were safe and that we wouldn’t lose you again.
” His raw honesty has my breath hitching.
“Maddison, I don’t want you to run again.
You belong here with us and I know Derek doing what he did hurt you, but I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t grateful that he had a way to get in contact with Joanne. ”
“He lied to me!” I snap.
Royce nods and smiles sadly. “I know he did and he has a lot of explaining to do, but if there is a chance he can get her to confess and grant you your freedom, then I’m all for it.”
“Why do you care so much about me going to prison?” I press, needing to hear his answer. I try not to sound too hopeful but I fail.
His eyes take on an intense look as he stares at me.
“Because you’re ours and your place is here with us, not in some cell or a shitty apartment hours away.
You belong to us.” My jaw unhinges, words fail me.
I don’t know what to say or what to do, I just stand here staring at him, wondering if I’m dreaming or if this is really happening .
“Royce—”
He cuts me off before I can finish. “I can see the questions you have for us in your eyes but I can’t answer them without my brother or Cam, so I’m begging you to come back to the house with me so we have a chance to explain everything before you write us off and run.”
“I never said I was gonna run,” I whisper.
The smile falls from his face. “You might when you learn everything,” he mutters.
I press forward and grip the fence. He reaches out and places his fingers over mine, drawing a gasp from me. “I don’t want to run, I want to fight,” I admit quietly.
“Then let us fight beside you. I swear, sinner, we won’t let you go without a fight. Have faith in us.”
“I’m not religious, Royce.”
He smirks and shoots me a wink as he steps back motioning to the gate. “I know but you should start praying because when the truth comes out only God will be able to save you from what is in store for you and that perfect little body.”
Oh shit, I was right. They are my masked men.