Forsaken Duty (Red Team #9)(34)

Addy did just that, rolling over so that she was pressed up against his chest. Her skinny knee forked his. “You have to stop being so kind, Owen. It’s killing me.”

“I can’t. Not where you’re concerned. And it’s not killing you; it’s killing your resistance.”

“I’ve been my resistance for the past decade. It’s the only thing that kept me alive.”

“Maybe it’s time to surrender, then.”

She pulled herself a little closer, settling her face against his neck. “I can’t. Not yet. But I’ll let my heart listen to yours while we sleep.”

Owen gave a little laugh. “I’ll tell you now what it’ll say.”

“What?”

“I love you.”

“You can’t.”

“Go to sleep and listen. We can argue in the morning.”



Three Years Ago

Saddle Notch Ridge, Wyoming



Addy stood in the big foyer, listening to the sounds the front door made as it closed behind her parents. The boys were watching her. She licked her lips, but her tongue was dry. She knew what was coming, and her fear of it was paralyzing. One of Cecil’s monumental rages. She gave her boys a weak smile, then asked Bonnie to take them upstairs.

“Where are you going, boys?” Cecil asked.

“Upstairs to work on their studies,” Addy answered for them.

“Are you hiding them from me? My own sons?”

“They don’t need to be here for this.”

He smiled. “It’s good for them to know that decisions have consequences. And they are part of the consequences.”

“No. Cecil, don’t. They had nothing to do with this.”

He shouted his rage and tossed his glass across the way, shattering it against the front door. The smell of vodka filled the air. He took out his phone and texted something. Addy moved a few steps back. Slowly. She sent Bonnie a look. If things broke loose, Addy wanted the boys rushed out of the room. Bonnie gave a slight nod.

“Bring them down here,” Cecil said.

Addy faced him. “Your issue is with me, not them.”

“Ah, but they are the consequences for your actions.”

“No.”

“Yes. I said, bring them here!” he shouted at Bonnie.

She jumped, then complied.

Cecil smiled at the terrified boys as he walked over to them. He reached out and gently gripped Troy’s chin. “So pretty, aren’t they? Bred carefully for the roles they’ll play.”

Augie reached down and took Troy’s hand when her toddler sniffled.

Cecil looked over their heads to her. “Pick one.”

Those two words stole the breath from her chest. This couldn’t be happening. “Cecil—”

“Pick one!” he bellowed.

“Why?”

“Do it, or I will.” His voice was once again quiet.

“You can’t take my children.”

“I’m only taking one. You knew there would be consequences for calling your parents. Apparently, that’s a hard lesson for your stupid brain to grasp.” He caught Augie’s chin in a brutal hold. “Will it be this one? He’s a little older. Maybe has a better chance of surviving without you.” He fisted a bunch of Troy’s hair, then turned both boys to face her. “Or will it be this one? Surely, he’ll die if I take him away. Look at him. He still wets his pants.”

“That’s enough. You’ve made your point.” Addy went over to retrieve her boys, but Cecil backhanded her, swatting her away.

“Choose. One you can have. One you will never see again. Which can you do without?”

Addy held a shaking hand to her cheek. “Let’s just take some time to cool down. You want to punish me, do it. But leave the boys out of this.”

Cecil gave her one of his cruel smiles. “I am punishing you.”

“Not through my boys.”

“My boys.” He looked past her. His men had come into the foyer. “She is so stupid. Clearly she can’t make up her mind. I’ll make it easy on you.” He shoved Augie toward his men. “Take that one. This one will never amount to anything, I’m afraid.”

Addy screamed. She lunged after Augie. He grabbed for her. “Mom! Mom! Moooommmm!”

She rushed after the man who was holding Augie up off the ground. She hit the guy and grabbed at his clothes and hair until she was pulled back. She spun around to fight, but a fist connected with her jaw. She hit the ground hard, and her world went black.



Addy’s screams woke Owen. She was lying beside him, thrashing around, wailing, and when her hands touched him, she clawed at him. He pulled her closer, but that just made things worse. When he let her go, she scrambled free and stumbled away. He went over to her nightstand and put the light on.

Addy stood in the center of her bedroom, looking dazed and disoriented. Her eyes were wildly shooting around the room. He walked over to her and gently pulled her close, not entirely certain she was awake. She melted into him, sobbing. And not the pretty, feminine kind of crying. No, this broke from her in ragged gusts that robbed her breath and her strength. When she started to collapse, he caught her and carried her over to the bed. He lay down with her, holding her, wondering what hellish memory had triggered this violent reaction.