Four or Dead by G O A

Four or Dead

Chapter 77

Wyatt

"Set him up in the storage room." I tell the guys when we arrive back at the Motel

Emma stands to the side and watches the men drag Zane away. I "How do you want to handle this?" I ask, stepping up beside her

"Honestly, I don't know. My father hurt me because it made him feel better to have someone to hurt or blame, but this is different. I'm different." She says, her eyes locked on a point off in the distance

She's at a crossroads. One that everyone like us faces at some point. I know because I went through the same thing when I joined Zane's crew

"What if he wakes up and I can't do it?" She asks, turning to look at me

I don't answer her right away. Instead, our eyes lock and I reach out to brush a strand of hair from her face and tuck it softly behind her ear

"No one will think less of you if you can't. Thats why you have us, so you don't have to do anything if you don't want to." I say softly and her eyes drift shut and her shoulders drop a little, like my words have lifted a weight off her

I move to take my hand away, but she opens her eyes and looks up at

Chapter 77

me with unspoken words. She feels lost right now and is hoping I'll tell her what to do, but I can't

See, there is a point in the life of an abuse victim where you either fight to overcome what you endured and become a stronger and better person or you succumb to the darkness that grows inside you. Some turn that darkness into something ugly, like hurting and killing for no reason other than to feel something other than pain. Then there are those that use that darkness and harness it into a weapon. A lot of the guys here have taken theor screwed up lives and turned all that pent up anger and resentment and use it for one purpose, as a bullet. They focus it on each order their leader gives and enjoy every second

about where I came from, so I move my hand to entwine

little while. The guys will get everything set

we get inside, she drops on the bed and I take a seat on one of the chairs at the table set up near the window. She lays down

would hang around Asher bullying you and they ripped your sweater. I saw the scars and bruises and I knew you were like me.

Chapter 77

them unconditionally, but for me she was the monster of my nightmares. It's also made Zane's offer

and cracked a couple of ribs. So I asked Zane if I could stay with someone from the crew. He agreed, but I had to prove to him I was loyal to him. He handed me a gun and brought in one of his men. I was told to shoot the guy. I had no one and nowhere else to go, so I did it. When it was done, he smiled and told me a place for me had just freed up. From that day on I had to do things I never thought I would do just to survive and soon it became less and less hard." I keep my eyes low as I spill my truth to her, but when

Instead, I see...understanding

in a breath and moves slowly to sit up. I can't help but shift nervously for a second,

so I can look up at her. She hesitates for just a second before her hand comes to

wish we could have known each other, so you didn't have to be alone, but I'm here now and you won't be alone again." She says and now I am the one releasing a breath of relief. "I hate even more the things you went through to help and protect me. You saved my life.

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moment only lasts a split second before

wasn't thinking straight. Now, she is the one kissing me and not because

because she feels she owes me, but it feels like a gift either way. I hope one day she will care about me for more than gratitude, but for now, it has to be enough. So when she slowly pulls away from me, I let her. I put more distance between us, so she knows

Emma

to me he reminds me that if things had been different, I wouldn't have been alone. Maybe if Wyatt had come to me and we found strength in each other, then maybe we could

no pain.

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I feel like he's already mine.

loud while I was looking down at

his eyes grow wider. I "Emma..." He starts to say, but I cut him

about me; I know what I want and who I want. Maybe I'm crazy and a little greedy since I already have four guys, but I don't care. This is my chance to say screw the