My mouth goes dry but I tell my body to cut it out.
This is my moment.
My fucking moment.
Cullen and Archer walk to the top step.
I feel like this is some kind of ceremony.
Like this is so symbolic or something.
Maybe it is.
Maybe it isn’t.
“You set him up,” I say.
“He doesn’t belong here, Jaci,” Cullen says.
“He kidnapped you,” Archer reminds me.
“I know that,” I say. “There’s a reason. I know there’s a reason.”
“Jaci, look where you are,” Cullen says. “Look who you are. This is where you belong. This is home.”
“For how long?” I ask. I glance at Archer. “And you promised to kill me. Does that turn me on? It does, Archer. For some crazy fucking reason, it really does turn me on.”
“Then come closer, sweet thing,” he tempts me. “I’ll whisper it into your ear while my fingers play again.”
Cullen’s jaw tightens. He doesn’t like hearing that Archer has touched me.
Even though he knows.
Even though he can’t do a thing about it.
“Did you tell Seth he could be part of this?” I ask.
“Is this what you want, love?” Cullen asks. “You want to stand on this hill? You want to die on this hill?”
“Are you threatening me now, Cullen?” I ask.
“I never would do that, Jaci,” Cullen says. “There’s rules. Here. And in life. Seth is an outlaw. That’s all he’ll ever be. An outlaw. No matter what he does. No matter who he kills. Whether it’s for us or for himself.”
“What Seth did wasn’t just for us,” Archer says. “It all connects. You need to trust us when we say that. Believe us.”
“You fucked him over,” I say. “You knew what you were doing.”
“Did he really think for a second something would change here?” Cullen asks. “He’s an outlaw. He’ll forever be treated that way. When I need something done, I’ll call him. Throw him some money. Watch him squirm and beg like the piece of trash he is. There’s your truth, Jaci.”
I’m slightly appalled.
And grossed out.
Archer just stands there, smirking.
He lifts his left eyebrow.
This would be a good moment for him to swoop in and say something to win my heart over.