Page 34 of Pucking Them
If he catches us in his office, then we lose the best chance of using this evidence against him. He could make a fuss about Eden being in his room, call security, and have us searched.
What if he discovers the thumb drive?
He could even insist that Eden have his access to the arena revoked, which would fucking wreck my brother.
Eden grabs me by the elbow and drags me with military speed toward the desk. He holds his finger to his lips, before he shoves me underneath into the dark with him.
He slips his arms around me.
My heart is hammering in my chest. My pulse rushes in my ears.
Even now, my brother is pulling me out of trouble.
The door swings open. Then I hear the footfalls that are crossing the room.
How are they so loud?
Why am I sweating?
My lungs burn. I’m shaking.
I struggle to pull in oxygen, slamming my hands over my mouth to keep myself silent, despite the rising terror that I can’t breathe.
Eden grabs my chin, forcing me to meet his intense gaze.
He settles his heavy arm on my shoulder, pressing his nails into my neck. The shock breaks me from the worst of the panic.
Then he quietly breathes in through his mouth and then slowly out through his nose, and I know that he wants me to mirror him.
He used to do this.
This is routine for us.
I force myself to copy his rhythmic breaths, resting my damp forehead against his.
Yet this feels too terrifyingly familiar — huddling in the warmth of my brother’s arms, while he calms me down from a panic attack, and we both hide in the dark from an authority figure who could hurt us.
For a moment, I am lost in The Room again.
For a moment, I forget that we don’t need to hide in the dark from adults who own us.
I wrap my arms around my twin, determined that no one will drag us apart. I listen as the footsteps retreat across the room.
When the door slams, I jump.
“You’re okay.” Eden cups the back of my head. “He’s gone.”
I try to answer but I’m breathing too fast.
I’m still lost in my head, the dark, and the past.
CHAPTER SIX
Freedom Mansion
Eden
Robyn shovesone of the rose-flavored chocolates that I made her into her mouth, chewing with a blissed-out expression. “You seriously both hid under Silas’ desk…?”
