[Thad’s POV]“Do you want to hear a story?”As I speak the words, the demons start to awaken within me, and for the first time since coming to America, I actually allow myself to relive that time. It was funny that for the past five years that I have been here, I never wanted to acknowledge what happened back at that place, with the trash-filled streets and the druggies huddled beneath newspapers and torn rags.“A story?” Brielle whispers, giving me a look of confusion. “Does this look like the time for..."“It does,” I confirm, stopping her before another bout of mania erupts. “There couldn’t be a better time.”Even if it would hurt like hell to tell her my story, it would help get her mind off of whatever it was that was haunting her to the point of wanting to end it all. I could only hope that the boss or even the bastard wouldn’t appear before I was finished.“You need a distraction, and I feel like spilling my soul,” I continue with a smirk. “Will you deny a poor man needing an o

[Leo’s POV]I sit beside my little songbird, gently rubbing circles with my thumb on the back of her hand. Soft breaths escape her lips as she rests peacefully. Once I’m sure that she is sleeping deeply enough, I release her hand and then head out of the room.When I reach the elevator, I dial Jackson’s number and then wait until he picks up.“Meet at the hospital in five,” I announce before he can speak. “Otherwise, I’ll come for you, and you won’t be happy if I do.”Hanging up, I head down onto the grounds so that I can meet with Jackson.As I wait, I pull a cigarette from my pocket and light it. Taking a few drags, I watch as Jackson pulls in and then gets out of his car with a stretch.“Could this not wait until tomorrow?” He yawns.“No,” I respond immediately. “There’s a pesky fly I need you to get rid of.”“Fly?” He repeats, seeming to perk up. “Is there another man trying to steal away your songbird?”“Something like that,” I admit, taking another drag of my cigarette. “He keep

[Thad's POV]“Oi.”Darlene's voice drifts upstairs as I slowly hobble from my room. After my ridiculous attempt at an escape, my arse was killing me along with my ankle. I was pretty sure I sprained it during the fall, but even then, I still needed to get to work.“Why are you moving about like an old bloke?” She continues when I peer over the banister at her.“Because I decided to see if humans could fly.” I respond, making my way downstairs. “Come to find out they can't.”When I reach the bottom floor, I head into the kitchen and pour myself some coffee before going to join Darlene at the table. Plopping down, I bring my steaming mug to my lips and take a sip, then hiss as the hot liquid scorches my tongue.“You also trying to see if humans can handle burning liquids?” Darlene giggles. “Seriously, what has gotten into you?”What has gotten into me? Huh. That was an interesting question, and one I was still asking myself. Pity? Imposter syndrome? I wasn’t sure, but since seeing Briel

[Brielle’s POV]L: I’ll be home soon; be sure to have on something nice.B: Of course.Grinning, I sit my phone down and look down at the lingerie that I’m wearing. I was sure that this would be enough to get L turned on, and maybe he would finally take me.So far, he still refused to fuck me, but I wasn’t going to just allow this to go on. He wanted me, and I wanted him, so why was he hesitating to go all the way with me?Despite being confident in L’s feelings for me, a small part of me worried it was because he still saw me as that broken girl back then. I was a woman, and I was going to make sure that he saw that.Sighing, I get up, head to my vanity, and take myself in. Despite planning on exerting myself, I still did my makeup, being sure to keep it light so I looked makeupless. Smiling, I put on another round of lip gloss and then toss my hair.“Perfect,” I murmur, getting up as I hear the sound of my door being opened. “You’re here!”Turning, I watch as L, clad in his usual ma

[Brielle’s POV]For the next few days, I’m free from having to be around L due to him going on a business trip. This gives me time to try to get my feelings together and my head straight. Despite my best efforts at convincing myself that I had to have misheard something, I just can’t make the memory of that conversation go away. They’re like a merry-go-around spinning around again and again, driving me mad until finally I’ve convinced myself that escaping is for the best.By day three, I’m packed and ready to go, but as I reach out and grab the handle of my door, I stop as I realize that even if I were to leave this place, I wouldn’t have anywhere to go. I was so dependent on L and his support that I didn’t have anyone else out there to save me from the situation I was in.Along with this realization, the pain of knowing that I would be alone stabs deep into my heart. Even if L was a monster, he was still the sweet, caring, supportive man that I grew to love, and my heart still very m