Valor

Chapter 33

*Steamy....

I run my fingers through my brown locks, trying to make sense of the information I've just been given.

Before me, in the living room of my apartment, stand the Valor brothers all with varying looks of worry.

"You're sure about this?" I ask. I know for certain they are, but I need to hear it again. It's impossible for my to comprehend that the brothers and I are irrevocably linked for the foreseeable future.

Who am I kidding–this is a forever thing. Word travels in the underground and the identity of the infamous 'Ghost' will raise hell.

It's not something I didn't see coming, but I thought I had a lot more time–years at best. This isn't something I had a longterm plan for, especially now when I have to add four other people to the mix.

A sane person would pack up and get the hell out of this city, but that's not something I'm capable of right now. Also, I'm not one to run from a fight.

Although there is one thing that I have to consider that the brother's don't know about.

Marco.

There is no doubt he's already gotten wind of this news and now he not only knows that I am associated with the Valors, but also my location.

It makes me suck a breath in and turn around, not letting the brothers see the tears forming in my eyes.

The thought of him getting his hands on me or one of the five people I care about shakes me to my core and reminds me why I hid myself in the first place.

I grip my hair in my hands, trying to ground myself to the moment as I feel my body begin to shake with visible tremors.

I want to excuse myself, tell the brothers that I need a minute to comprehend this information.

I don't like looking weak, especially in front of these assholes, but my body refuses to move. If I didn't know any better I would think my body is refusing to move because it craves the care and loving touch of the brothers.

"We're positive, Lilah." Dame says from somewhere behind me.

It's the final blow that I need to break apart. My legs give out and I fall to my knees, my hands still gripping my hair as the tears flow down my cheeks. The crazy thing is, is that whenever my emotions overwhelm me, I dissacociate into my safe space; the space my mind occupies that has no emotions. The place that I think Kai gets stuck in sometimes.

It's one of things that drew me to him in the first place. Regardless of my mind going to another place, the tears continue to fall and my body continues to shake.

I'm unaware of the shuffling behind me, until I see familiar brown eyes looking into mine filled with concern.

His hands are cupping my cheeks saying words that don't make it to my ears.

Then, he leans in, resting his forehead against my own, bringing his beautifully delectable scent with him.

Even with my harsh pants, I get just enough that my breath falters.

"Breathe with me babygirl." He whispers, his words slightly cracked as he contninues murmuring, "In. Out. In. Out."

I follow his lead my breathing slowly returning to a normal pace, but the glazed look in my eyes remains. I don't feel safe enough to return to my body. My mind is stuck in my safe space. The space that doesn't feel one thing for Maverick and wouldn't hesitate to slice his throat if he made any sudden movements.