A Hurt So Sweet Volume Three (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 3)

"I will soon." She takes long, deep sips of the liquid, making me feel ashamed of myself as I watch her drink.

I've imprisoned the girl.

I've kept her captive for years under the pretense of protecting her from her father, but the truth is, I was trying to keep her from harming herself. But in doing that, I might've only made things worse, and now guilt flows through me freely, reminding me with each second that passes that I'm at fault for what's happened to her.

"We should go back to your room," I suggest gently.

She surprises me with a calm nod, handing me the glass. I look deep into her wide, innocent eyes and hate myself for the monster I've become.

I put the glass down and tell her to go upstairs. Her eyes light up at this, the sign of trust obvious, and I even turn my back on her to pretend like I really do trust her. Soon enough, her footsteps echo in the stairway and I know she's gone back to her room.

I need to figure out the situation with Lily Anna. I can't keep her captive forever. Especially now that Anders is gone.

Minutes later, I go up the stairs myself. I hesitate with my palm resting on the door. I want to open it. I want to talk to Lily Anna, tell her everything's going to be okay. Tell her I'm not the bastard she must see me as now.

But I do no such thing.

Instead, I turn the key in the lock, making sure she can't run, and walk away from her. Yet another problem behind closed doors. And as long as they remain locked, I can pretend things are going to work out just fine.

10

Pandora

"Pandora. Pandora. Pandora."

I groan, tossing and turning in bed. "Leave me alone."

"No. Wake up."

I force my eyes open, rubbing the sleep out of them. My room is enveloped in darkness save for the bedside lamp on my nightstand. Brazen is sitting next to me on the bed, his face ashen.

I sit up instantly. "Is Minnie alright?"

"We just got back from the hospital," he mutters. "The bastard wouldn't even pay for private care."

I know right away he means our father, and I shake my head. The last time I saw him, he was a bloody mess on the floor. Kelley told me a private doctor came to the house to take care of his injuries, but he didn't give a damn about Minnie's. Brazen was the one who took her to the ER, where she got a cast on her left arm.

"Is she okay?" I ask.

"She's gonna be wearing that cast for a month." Brazen's hand forms a fist on his lap. Our eyes meet, and for once in our lives, I feel like we're sharing a moment. The one thing we have in common is hating our father. At least now we have something that bonds us together. "I wanted to thank you for what you did today, Pandora."

"I didn't do anything," I mutter.

"You stopped him before he took it further."

"He broke her arm, Brazen!" I hiss, unable to help myself. I'm still simmering with rage, both because of what our father did, and what Dex threw in my face.

"But you stopped him from doing more than that," he says calmly. "Fuck knows what would've happened if you hadn't walked in when you did. Minnie could be dead right now."

I find myself nodding, silently agreeing with his words. Father is capable of a lot worse than he did to Minnie. Dexter's bloody back speaks volumes. "I just wish I could do more."

"Well, at least we're working together now. We can help Minnie. Help her get the hell away.”

"Brazen, do you..." My eyes meet his. I'm uncertain whether I should ask, but I desperately want to know, and the words slip from my lips before I can stop myself. "You love her, don't you?"

His lips form a thin line. He doesn't answer my question, but his silence tells me everything I need to know.

I reach for his hand, but he pulls away, as if he can't bear the thought of being touched by me. Then, as if he's regretting pulling back, he offers me a sad smile. "I know you have her best interest at heart, Pandora. You're not as bad as everyone thinks."