The Promise

Chapter Twelve

TW: This chapter does contain some sensitive information, such as abuse, etc. It's very mild, but just in case that is a trigger, I wanted to mention it. 

A/n: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I've enjoyed the comments so far. Unfortunately, I can't tell ya'll when they tell her she's their mate. That's to come :D 

With my mind in such turmoil, torn between wanting to spill my secrets and letting them comfort me while the other half wanted to guard my heart, I began to cry. It wasn't the movie cry; it was ugly sobs that wracked my frame, red turning splotchy. My nose was stuffed up, and I felt like choking with every deep sob that tore from my body.

I was picked up and set down on a hard, warm lap. Due to the strong tobacco smell that clung to this individual, I deduced that David moved to comfort me. He wrapped his arms around me, allowing me to cry. As I calmed down, left with a stuffed nose and hiccups, I realized this was the first time I had allowed myself to cry.

I hadn't cried when Mom and I caught Dad cheating with his secretary. I hadn't cried when Justin had choked me in his basement after I weighed a pound over the last weigh-in. I hadn't cried when Mom told us we were moving, nor when Justin was beating me senseless. I hadn't let myself cry, holding it within.

I felt lighter now that I had cried. I nuzzled into David's hold, letting him continue to hold me for a while longer. I needed to organize my thoughts and wasn't sure what to say. I knew I had to tell them, but it would need to be more detailed. I had only known them for two days, regardless of how comfortable I was with the four delinquents.

"My family doesn't even know most of it," I finally breathed out, shifting in David's hold to look at the three others. They all had pained looks as if my sobbing had torn a hole in their heart. David rested his head on top of mine, arms woven around my torso. "I had a boyfriend back in Phoenix."

I stopped, hearing what sounded like growling emitting from the four males. It was straightforward to hear while on David's lap as I could hear and feel the vibrating in his chest. I wondered momentarily why they would growl but just waved it off.

"I met him in 8th grade - right before prom," I gave a watery smile, remembering the beginning of our relationship. "At first, it was like the relationship every girl dreams of."

"He was sweet, charming, and funny," I recanted. "He'd bring flowers, take me out to movies. We were the "it" couple at our school. He made the football team, and that's when things changed.

"Justin became controlling, almost obsessively so. He wanted to know every student I spoke with," I looked at Marko, whose face had hardened. He didn't look anything like the mellow guy that I knew. Now he looked pissed off. "It worsened when I had a group project. I forgot to tell Justin that I had been partnered with Zach. He went ballistic. That was the first time he hit me."

"What?" Paul exploded, jumping to his feet in anger. "I'll rip him to shreds!"

"Paul," Dwayne's voice sounded tight, but Paul heard the unspoken command in his voice. Paul sank down onto the couch, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Justin thought that I was flirting because I had to ask the guy for his notes," I whispered, tears in my eyes. "After that, it just spiraled out of control. Justin knew I was insecure about my figure and started pointing out all my flaws. He'd make fun of my thighs, eat anything that I ordered that wasn't a salad, telling me I didn't need to get fat."

"No," Marko breathed, fists clenching in his anger. I knew Paul and Marko were the loose cannons, always ready and itching for a fight, but I'd just seen it tonight. David's body was tensed behind me, his arms like iron chains.

"Justin made me strip down in front of him and weigh myself," I recanted. "He would praise me if I lost weight, berate me, and hit me if I gained. I wasn't allowed to spend time with my friends; anything he could do, Justin would."

"He didn't," Dwayne trailed off, finally understanding why I was so scared about pulling off my pants around the four men. I nodded; Paul stood up and went deeper into their cave. I jumped when I heard a loud crash.

"It's alright, kitten," David's cool voice drifted into my ears. "Paul is just upset. Marko," Without hesitation, Marko bounced off the couch and started to destroy stuff with Paul.

"Anyway, it ended because Mom got a divorce on Dad when we caught him cheating," I shrugged. "That's the jist of my background."

"Thank you," Dwayne's honey eyes gazed at me. His following sentence made me understand that he knew that wasn't half the story. Dwayne knew that there was more, but the way the two vivacious members of their group reacted, I wasn't sure how they would handle the rest. "If you ever need to talk, just come and talk, alright?"

"Thank you, Dwayne," I smiled. "I've gotten so used to being told not to talk; it's foreign to have the chance to talk."

"We always want to hear that pretty voice," Paul murmured, walking into my visual field. He stopped before me, leaning down to press kisses to my face. "Never stop talking."

"Paul," I giggled, his teased hair tickling my face. "You'll get sick of me eventually."

"Lies!" Marko gasped. David and Dwayne agreed, all of them endeavoring to show their mate how much they were loved by the four killers of Santa Carla.

"None of us would ever push you like that, right?" Dwayne spoke, dead serious about the situation. David tightened his grip around my waist at my hesitation. Finally, with four sets of eyes staring at my figure, waiting for a response, I just shrugged.

"We would never," Marko crossed over his heart. "We could never."

"I want to believe you," I whispered.

"But you don't know us yet, kitten," David spoke, breath teasing at my ear. I shivered but nodded in agreement. David was correct. I didn't know any of the four guys in front of me. I just knew that there was a weird connection to all four.

"I just want to see your hip," Dwayne said. "You will probably need some ice."

"We just want you healthy," Paul agreed, a frown on his face for the past fifteen minutes.

My heart swelled at their protective natures and their reassurances. I felt hopeful and decided to try to trust them. So far, none of them had done anything untoward to me. I didn't believe they were saints, of course not. But they were decent beneath their personas. Plus, my connection with the four made me want to believe them.

I hesitated for a while longer, just thinking about it. These four men made me feel secure and warm. Even though I'd known them for over a week, something inside me screamed to trust them. I knew if I refused, none would hold me down, forcing me to show my hip. Therefore, with a sigh and closing my eyes, I decided to take a leap of faith and trust.