“Oh, my God,” I breathe, still in utter shock. “You found it? I honestly had forgotten all about it…”
“That journal saved my life, Molly. You saved my life, in a way.” She shows me her wrist, which is covered with a beautiful tattoo of roses trailing up her arm. “There used to be a barcode here, but I got it covered. It’s really small, but in one of the petals, I added your name. I carried you with me in that house, so I wanted it to be permanent, too.”
She points to one of the roses, and instantly, my hand covers my mouth, eyes welling with tears as I stare at the five small letters scribed expertly inside the petal.
When I was in that house, they hadn’t tattooed us, but I could only imagine the new precautions they started taking after I successfully escaped. I never imagined tagging them like fucking animals would be one, and it breaks my heart. But I also never imagined my journal would save someone else, and for that, I’m so fucking thankful.
Dropping my hand from my mouth, I lift my watery eyes to her, gazing at her with a little sorrow, and a lot of pride. “You did that, Addie. You got out.”
She gently grabs my hand and squeezes. “I did it with your help.”
Entirely speechless, she leaves me to process that, moving on to Cage.
The only thing that brings me back to reality is Zade’s sharp stare cutting to where their hands connect for point two seconds. He keeps quiet, but Jesus, he was definitely counting how long they touched for. I’d hate to find out what would happen to my boyfriend if it were a second too long.
I’d go down, though I’d sure as fuck go down fighting.
My brain is still lagging from Addie’s proclamation, so it takes me a moment to absorb Zade’s words.
“Scar buddies.”
Again, I blink. “Scar buddies?”
His finger flicks between our faces. “We both got dope scars. You know what that means? We should be friends.”
Again, I blink.
Zade grins at my bewilderment, and continues, “Legion tells me you’re a valuable asset. Murdering people happens to be my second favorite thing in the world, following my fiancée, of course. I’d feed your pigs really fucking well, and I have no problem doubling your salary to work with Z.”
I cock a brow, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m loyal to Legion.”
The grin that slices across Zade’s face is quick. “I was hoping you’d say something so noble. It means you’re a damn good employee. However, I respect Legion, and he’s agreed to share. You’ll still work with him, and Eli will continue to deliver the food. Your pigs and wallet will just get a little bit fatter, that’s all.”
Then his stare snaps to Cage. “I hear you’re also valuable. I pay good money for skills like yours.”
Cage cocks his head. “Can’t you do what I do just as easily?”
Zade shrugs. “Sure. But I don’t need the extra workload when I have your expertise. I sent a few people to your store so I could see your work, and I have no problem admitting I haven’t seen it done better than you.”
Cage’s brows jump in surprise.
“You’d be valuable. You both would,” Zade continues. His intense stare slides over us, probing and analytical, while Addie goes to coo at the pigs. “So, are the two of you down?”
Mine and Cage’s stares cut to each other at the same time.
I’m not sure why, but it feels like Zade is going to introduce me to a whole different world. One that will bring me out of the reclusive shell I’ve been comfortable in for the past decade.
And I guess… I guess I’m finally ready for it.