Devil's Despair Box Set: Books 1-3 by A.C. Bextor Page B

see what I saw on her face when they looked at the two of us together. I’ve played oblivious in regards to how she may feel about me for a long time. However, they don’t know her past like I do. Cherry loves me for the only reason she can. She’s clinging to the one person who has shown her even the slightest compassion and trust. It’s understandable she would think of me in that regard. She sees me as a savior, and I won’t exploit that. I’ve done enough damage to those I care about to last me a fuck of a long time.
    Walking in the apartment door, I find the couch empty. I smile knowing the ever-defiant and challenging woman finally did something I told her to do without putting out much of an argument. Even though I know she did it to get me to agree to let Travis take her out tomorrow, I’m thankful for her compromise nonetheless. I don’t like the idea, but I’m going with it. I trust Travis, and he’s never been one to exploit a situation for his favor, either. If Hayden would have asked the same thing, the answer would be a resounding “Fuck no”, but she’s safe with Trav. Still, though, it’s going to be a long fuckin’ day waiting for her to come back.
    After locking up and turning out the lights, I move to my room and find Cherry in my bed. She’s wrapped in a ball, surrounded by my blankets and she’s sleeping peacefully. She doesn’t sleep easy and hasn’t since we got here.
    Quietly, I take my clothes off, letting them drop to the floor. I crawl into the bed, sticking only to my side. The only woman who has slept in this bed was my ex-wife, Sylvie. She was a mistake of epic proportion in the wake of Sadey.
    Sylvie and I grew up together as kids and after moving with Bean to another apartment complex, I left her behind; that is, until I came back from Ohio the first time with a broken heart. I had seen her at a bar. She was a warm body that happened to be the spitting image of Sadey. Her auburn hair and green eyes resembled a close second, but her insides were nothing in comparison.
    Sylvie was wicked. After we were married, she threatened to make Bean and Sarah’s life hell if I didn’t swear to cut off all ties to Sadey. When she found out I was visiting Sadey in Ohio, she traveled all those miles in search to destroy what I was trying to build again.
    Her malicious tendencies while making Sadey’s life hell got her killed. I don’t miss her and if that makes me an asshole, I’m willing to live up to the title ten times over.
    Looking at Cherry in my bed, though, I see truth, innocence, and beauty. I watch her sleeping, breathing steadily, lost in dreams. Her scent consumes my room - the fresh and clean to my small existing life. She’s fuckin’ beautiful, fragile, but able to endure so much. She’s completely undeniable.
    I take in a deep breath as I wonder if this was such a good idea.
    Luckily, I’m exhausted. Forcing myself to let go of the tempting thoughts of Cherry, I drop off into a restful sleep.
    Cherry
    “I don’t think she knows anything. If she did, she would’ve already given it up. No one could keep going like she is without breaking and sayin’ something. She hasn’t even offered a lie. I don’t think she knows shit about anything.” The laugh bounces in echo off the cement walls of this basement. “I fucked her up pretty hard, too.”
    “Pump her, then. High as a fuckin’ kite. Warren needs the info, so break her.” The voice is familiar, but I can’t see who it is through the bloody blindfold.
    My body aches; my head throbs, my ribs feel as though they’re pushing on my lungs, making it difficult to breathe and my wrists are tight and raw from the roped restraints. My hair feels heavy, likely from the blood that clings to it as it runs down and off my forehead and face.
    Pictures were taken. I was told to smile and, as painful as it was, I did, fearing the consequence.
    ‘Please, let me go. I don’t know the answers to the questions you’re