Lost & Found (Possessed 3)

“Why did he…” Her throat tightened at the question she was about to ask. “Why did he choose me?”

Regret colored James’ eyes. “He was talking to Ray about finding a submissive girl when you and Tami had been by the station one day. Ray mentioned you were the perfect mix of submissive and backbone. He’s torn up about it now, Pep.”

Pep.

The nickname had a gush of memories rushing forward at lightning speed as she gasped for breath. Her head was swimming. Stars burst behind her lids as her knees weakened, dragging her to the floor. Hands on the ground, she let the memories run through her. Absorbing all the pain and love she’d ever felt. Knowing if she wanted answers, if she wanted to be free, she had to let them come.

Voices could be heard through a tunnel as they all checked to see if she was alright. The memories were so intense her body started shaking. The pain from losing their parents was forefront, something she’d never been able to let go of. She carried it like a shield of armour around her heart, never letting anyone in long enough to feel anything.

Breathless and trembling, she collapsed in a heap on the floor. It was almost as if she’d been possessed with the way her body felt used, but she knew it was the emotions. Pepper had always been someone who felt things intensely, right to her soul. So when she was hurt, it lingered until she was ready to process the loss.

Since waking up, she hadn’t been able to absorb much of anything. What she felt for Nick and Ace didn’t begin to reach anything like the pain running through her at the multiple betrayals in her life.

Her parents dying in front of her.

Paul, her ex, treating her like trash.

Envy at Tami’s free spirit.

James’ rejection.

Finally, Alex’s betrayal when he left her for dead.

It all lingered in her mind, her heart. Stole every inch of her soul.

“Oh God!” She felt like she was being ripped to shreds as the thought of leaving Nick and Ace crossed her mind. That was one emotional breakdown she knew she wouldn’t survive.

If there was ever a time where Nick could commit murder, it had come. James was her family, her brother, one of three people not including him, Ace, and his dad that gave a shit about her. So, he could get why the other man wanted her home.

Seeing her in such emotional pain now made him want to slaughter the other man. She was clearly gaining her memories back as she cried on the floor. Every time one of them tried to touch her, she’d flinch away.

“Rox,” he whistled for the animal, who immediately came padding over from her spot near the couch. She didn’t even need direction as she lay next to Pepper. From the moment the dog had met her, they’d had an unbreakable bond.

“Pepper,” James called softly, clearly in distress over his sister’s heartbreak.

“It’s okay,” she replied roughly. “The memories, they’re just a lot.”

Having had enough of seeing her in such pain, he sat on the floor beside her, pulling her into his arms and cradling her between his thighs. “Make it stop, Nick,” she moaned as he rubbed circles on her back.

“Ah, baby, I’m sorry. This is good, though.” A shudder ran through her at his words.

“Take a seat, James,” Ace suggested. The look on his face had Nick smirking, the man had no clue what was happening as he sat down.

“My head hurts,” she commented faintly.

Ace came over and sat beside them. Hearing what Pep

per had said, he started massaging her scalp.

“I’ll make some tea,” his dad offered as he got up from his stool. “Where’s the bourbon, Nicky?”

“It’s not even nine, Dad.” The foolish old man.

“Trust me, that girl’s gonna need a drink,” he snapped. “Especially dealing with you three boneheads.”

“Hey!” Ace pretended to act affronted.

“You three are fighting over whether she’s gonna stay or go. Don’t you think she has bigger problems than that?” They all kept their mouths shut as he spoke. “She has some tough decisions ahead of her. The likes of you all had better get on the supportive train and not the pain in the ass one. She’ll kick all of you to the curb then. And if she doesn’t, I’ll do it for her.”