Breakaway - Sadie Jacks Page 0,26

as they squeezed me between them.

Once we got outside, the feel of the sunshine on my head and face had me itching to take my clothes off. Not that they weren’t lightweight, but they just felt off. Like they were tamping down something inside me that needed to be free. That needed pure air and unfiltered access to the sun.

I backed up until I could stand on the little patch of grass near the sidewalk. The dirt rose between my toes soothing the ragged edges inside me. I pulled that peaceful energy up into my body and thanked it for its healing presence.

As I opened my eyes, a shiny black car pulled up to the curb. A man got out from behind the driver’s wheel. For some reason he looked familiar. His dark blonde hair and his light blue eyes. I could have sworn I knew him.

“Mattias?” I asked softly, not wanting everyone to look at me if I was wrong.

The man startled for a second before he closed down all expression. He looked at me with blank eyes. “I go by Matt. Matt Hershen.”

I smothered my smile. “If you’re the same guy, then the last I knew, you went by Matty.” I pointed at my chest. “It’s me. Hollyn.” I looked at the brothers, leaned in. “From the Oaks.”

Matt’s eyes flared in recognition. “Holly Bolly?” he asked in a whisper.

I nodded at the nickname. “I go by Hollyn now, but yeah.”

He had me up in his arms and twirled me in circles before I could catch my breath.

One of the brothers cleared their throats. “Matt, would you like to explain?” Thane asked.

Matt set me down on the pavement, kissed my cheek. “Sorry. Yeah. Of course. But we need to get out of here if you’re trying to ditch the nosy doctors.” He looked at his boss.

Thane nodded. “Yes. And you’re coming home with us as well.”

Matt nodded. “Let me make some arrangements with my wife about the kids and I’ll answer any questions you have.”

My heart squeezed with happiness that Matt had a family of his own. That he’d escaped the Oaks and made a life for himself made it seem a little more attainable for me. Maybe I could be free of them as well.

**

Grumpy pulled the door open, a black scowl on his handsome face. “They’re in an uproar. Did you know that? The police and the hospital administration are looking for you.” He stabbed his finger at me. He looked over my shoulders. “And you’re helping her destroy our lives.”

Thane and Toven growled and laid their hands on my shoulders.

“She’s staying,” Toven said. “Now pull the stick out of your ass and help us figure this out.” He took my arm and raised it for his brother to inspect.

The black swirls of poison shifted and churned under my skin. It was like watching fish swim under the surface of the water. It changed color depending on which way it was turned as well. Almost as if it were reflecting light.

Tagan leaned forward. He licked his thumb and rubbed it over the poison. His brow furrowed when he lifted his thumb away and the black swirls were still there. He reached out, grabbed my wrist and started rubbing at my skin like he was trying to rub it all away. Maybe he thought if it disappeared, I would disappear with it.

The burning friction started getting hotter and hotter. I tugged on my wrist.

He didn’t yield.

I jerked on it. “Let go of me, Grumpy. I’ll put you on your butt like last time.”

He looked up at me, a sneer on his face, as he rubbed a little harder.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Tag?” Thane pushed his brother away.

Tagan still had my arm in his grip.

I tripped along and crashed into Tag’s body. Both of us tumbled to the floor. His arms came up and cradled me against him as he took the brunt of the impact.

“That’s three times in the last two days that I’ve fallen in the arms of man.” I shook my head. “This is so much different than living in the woods. When I fell there, people usually just laughed and kept walking.” I shot Tagan a smile. “This is so much nicer on my butt and elbows. Thank you.”

The three men still standing over us chuckled as Thane’s hand wrapped around my arms. I still didn’t know how I knew their touches were different, but I did. And I wasn’t really complaining