Sang's Freedom (Original And Rewritten)

46

-Chapter 46-

Mr. Owen Blackbourne's POV:

I was half asleep when Miss Sorenson shoved a bit of pornography into my face. She looked dreadfully unhappy, chewing on her bottom lip.

Miss Sorenson asked if I knew who the women in the picture was. She said that Luke sent her the picture on accident when the Taylors were playing tug-of-war with North's phone.

She wanted to know if North and the woman in the photo were dating, and when Miss Sorenson's cheeks flushed pink, I couldn't help but tease her, my typical professional resolve melting slightly.

It was rare I had a moment alone with Miss Sorenson, and with my fatigue came a strange bode of confidence. "Miss Sorenson, are you jealous?" I had teased, and when her cheeks went pink, I pushed further.

Her hands went over my mouth, trying to quiet me before I woke the others. I grinned. That's right. I, Mr. Blackbourne, full on grinned beneath her slender fingers, and then I pressed a kiss to her palm.

And she ran.

Miss Sorenson jerked away in surprise and I had never seen her face more red as she ran back into Nathan's room.

My heart was thumping.

Think of the cat, Owen.

Not the perfect curve of Miss Sorenson's hip.

Not the stunning green of Miss Sorenson's eyes.

Not the fullness of her lips.

I closed my eyes.

***

Matthew Eli's POV:

Okay, the damn eyepatch made it impossible to sleep. It was tossed on the floor half way through the night as I shifted onto my back. I stared up at the popcorn across the white ceiling and listened to the quiet whir of the fan.

I couldn't wait for my bandages to come off. I wanted to know how ruined my eye was, and I was really hating the looks I got. Pirate? Fuck them. Cyclops? Fuck that too. Humor only got you so far.

I sighed as a peculiar sound drifted to my ears. There was someone else in here. I peeked off the edge of the bed to see Sang curled up in a ball. Tears were on her cheeks as she whimpered. A nightmare.

"Shit," I breathed. Why was she on the floor in here? I should have told one of the others to stay close to her, so I......I picked Sang up in my arms. Her blonde hair was wild as I slid her in between the soft bed sheets. She reached out for me when I pulled back. "Mattie?" she whimpered, or maybe I imagined it.

Something wet was on my cheek as I slipped in next to her. "Don't you call me that, beautiful," I murmured, drawing her close to my chest. She sighed deeply, as if she finally found peace.

I pet her hair for a long time. Long enough for the sun to rise and for the rest of the house to wake up.

Sang was going to be having nightmares for years, likely, and once we dismantled the sex ring she may have them for the rest of her life.

Sang had already killed people. She's been hurt by those who were supposed to love her most.

I slowly got out of bed. My bandages felt...wet, and I figured I should see the doctor. Before I left, I gently woke Sang.

Her green eyes opened, and she smiled when she saw me. It was like she didn't even notice the fact I was missing an eye. "Good morning~" Sang rolled onto her stomach.