You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 151

VOID

«Eleven Years Old»

Mama wasn't happy with me.

The last time she smiled for me was at the mountains.

She'd wanted me to choose someone strong. I said weak. I said it twice so she'd hear it.

But I knew that wasn't the only reason she was pissed at me. It was because of what I did.

I knew it would hurt her. I thought I'd be ready for it.

Today she brought a man home.

I watched her laugh as he led her upstairs. Her room swallowed them for hours.

I used to be the only game she made time for. Twice in one week she forgot the rules and left me on the bench.

She still spoke to me, still handed me what I asked for, but the attention—the part that counted—she gave to other people.

It was punishment, I knew. She wanted me to be sorry for what I did at the mountains.

But I wasn't going to be.

«PRESENT»

And she'd been right.

She'd been right when she told me a weak woman would ruin me.

'You'll lose her early. And then you'll hate yourself for loving her in the first place.'

She. Had. Been. Right.

And the rightness of it was the grit in my teeth.

I didn't want her right. I'd made a private oath to her and myself that I'd prove her wrong. I'd find someone soft for me and still keep her breathing beside me until time ran out on everyone else. That was the promise. But Mama had been right, and every day a thin slice of my remaining sanity slid off the plate.

"We have a clue," Eric's voice came from behind me.

I didn't bother to turn. The room was dark enough to erase faces.

I sprawled in the chair facing away from the door, legs set wide, head tipped back to the ceiling, eyes closed, fingers laced over my stomach. The chair had been angled to make visitors talk to my silence, not my eyes.

"He's moved to Edevan," Eric went on. "He's loud on the streets. People hail him as the David who took down the giant. We don't have his exact pin yet, but we've got threads. He was in a gathering four days ago. If we tug the right people, we'll pull his location."

He dropped something on the table. "These are the first places to sweep. Do you want the team to move tonight?"

They both froze and looked at me. I prayed they weren't weighing where I got the audacity to speak like that in front of them.

"The Ash Twins," My eyes fell to the floor, ashamed of their wet shine. "They... They're taking me for two years."

I let the words hang like gallows rope before I forced myself to lift my gaze. Calm surprise swam in their eyes.

"I don't want to go to them. I... They're not safe. I mean, I won't survive them."

My stomach twisted as I spoke the next part. "I'd rather be with you." My voice was so small it sounded like it wanted to hide behind me.

I couldn't believe I was begging to be bought.

"I—I don't know if there's a way to can talk to Blayne. I don't know if he'll listen to you. But please, I'd rather be with you guys than them. Help me."

The brothers exchanged a stare long enough to make me sweat.

"They're not safe," Corbin repeated, lowering himself to the bed. "What makes you think we are?"

"I know you're not. But I believe I'd survive longer with you than with them."

I searched their eyes for any hint. They gave me nothing back.

"Please. Help me."