Thanks to The Boots

Chapter Twenty-Five

I lean my head back against my bedroom door. I like Ryder. And who knows the next time I'll see him again, if I ever do.

Closing my eyes and sighing, I understand just how crazy my life is.

After going over what happened in the past weeks, I remember what just happened. I just fought with my family, yelled at my family, over the bad boy that kidnapped me. I have to apologize, but I mean I wasn't wrong. Ryder isn't the reason I got strangled. He just kept me in the same mansion as his evil brother and let him strangle me for a few minutes. Now that I think about it, he didn't pull Ryan off of me until I passed out. I mean, he thought I was dead. Why didn't he help me earlier?

My eyes grow when I figure out I might have actually been wrong. Yes, Ryder did save my life, but he could have prevented me passing out. That sounds bad and don't get me wrong, I am so grateful for Ryder saving my life but why did he wait until I passed out?

My heart stops when I remember what Ryder told me earlier today. They attacked the gang yesterday. Ryder let Ryan strangle me, and almost kill me, so I would come back as a warning.

I gasp and almost throw up when I recognize one sick fact. Ryder was okay with me dying. He didn't know if I was alive or dead last night, and he didn't care. Tears fall down my cheeks, but I don't care. I don't care anymore. I don't need Ryan to teach me how to not care, because Ryder already did.

I stay like that for a couple of minutes after the tears stop. Then I get up, I wash my face in my bathroom and change out of the stupid, fancy dress. I change into some joggers and a comfortable oversized tee.

I go downstairs and find my family exactly where I left them about an hour ago. Mom and my sisters are crying and Dad looks ticked off.

I stand there without saying a word, not knowing what to say. Several times, I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out so I close it.

"Bri," Mom walks over to me. She wraps her arms around me, and I do the same.

With the strength from my mother, I start to speak, "When I was first down here, I was very rude and I stuck up for my kidnapper. When I went upstairs, I really analyzed what happened last night. And now I know that it is Ryder's fault I got strangled. If I died last night, it would have been his fault and I almost did die, because he does not care about me like he should. He wanted my trust and I wrongfully gave it to him. Now I know how to make it right."

My family looks at me confused, and I know after I say this last part they will all be shocked.

"I want to help the gang stop Ryder's gang."

They stay silent for a moment, so I feel the need to add, "I don't want to be a part of the gang, just help you take down Ryder's gang."

Dad slowly starts to nod, "Okay."

At first it looks like Mom is going to shut it down, but then she agrees.

"Can I help?" Jamie pipes in.

"No," all of us deny.

"But you will get training," I add.

"She will?"

"She will. Also, my training will continue. I've gotten good, but I still need help."

"Ethan can help with that."

"He's alive and okay?"

"Yeah, he spent all of these two weeks healing and is finally back at it."

"Good."

"We should take you to the base..." Mom says carefully, watching my reaction.

"Can I change into some cooler clothes first?"