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

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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

Emma a little more about where I came from, so I move my hand to entwine it

rest a little while. The guys will get everything set up." I say, leading her back to her

she drops on the bed and I take a seat on one of the chairs at the table set up near

that. One day I saw those girls that would hang around Asher bullying you and they ripped your sweater. I saw the scars and bruises and I knew you were like me. It was the first

Chapter 77

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

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

Instead, I see...understanding

I can't help but shift nervously

look up at her. She hesitates for just a second before her hand comes to rest

to go through that, Wyatt. I 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. I know

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split second

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

else to comfort her in this moment or 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 I won't try anything more, but she doesn't move. She

Emma

I know it the instant the urge to kiss Wyatt gets too strong and I give in. What really surprises me is the feeling after the kiss. I don't regret it or feel wrong for wanting to kiss him. It feels right. Any other girl might find Wyatt a bit too much after everything he's told me, but 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

no

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in all that he is; I feel like he's already

say those last words out loud while I

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

me; I know what I want and who I want. Maybe I'm crazy and a little greedy since I already have four guys,