The Million Dollar Man
56

There was an eerie silence that settled upon us as Eric stared up at me through squinted eyes, a piteous look crossing his expression.

« A low life gang all of a sudden gains a powerful leader and with that begins to rise in ranks ? Surely you must have seen the faults in that story. >>

I stumbled back a step or two, my eyes lowering to the floor as his words hit me hard.

<< I never meant to harm you, in fact I never had any intention to be your undoing. >>

Undoing?

My eyes snapped up to his, and I could practically feel his pity for me.

<< Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what I want, but only what he wants. >> Eric spoke slowly, as if he were trying to send me a coded message through his words.

But it was hopeless. With the strength I had, I found myself shaking my head at him, not wanting to hear him say anything else.

I was overwhelmed, and I don't handle being overwhelmed very well.

<< You were right to question how I knew so much about you, but like I said before, I'm afraid I can't answer that. I do not know, nor will I ever, how he came about to know anything about you. >>

<< Who ? >> My voice had returned. Fear wrenched my gut as I spoke, but I was determined to not back down now.

<< I can not-<«<<

<< Who ? >> I repeated, though it came out more as a demand.

Eric slumped back into the wall, as if he were telling me that my attempts to withdraw information from him were futile.

After staring at him in silence for a few minutes, I let out a noise that sounded like an animal being strangled.

Going against my ideas to not back down and replace out who it was or at least what Eric was talking about, I turned on my heel and exited it the room.

It seemed as if Eric was one to favor the dramatics, for when I started to shut the door behind me, he decided to speak.

<< I will tell you this, Miss Summers; you are in danger, and I'm afraid there's nothing you can do about it. >>

At that moment I wanted to keel over from fear, anxiety, and dread, but I remained standing. Taking a deep breath, I turned my head and spoke only loudly enough so that he would have to strain to hear me. << We'll see about that. >>

+++++

Tap, tap, tap...

A large hand grabbed my knee, forcing it to still, preventing my foot to discontinue its tap routine.

<< What's wrong with you today? » Mason looked irritated, but his eyes held the slightest bit of worry.

I forced a smile and shrugged, my smile slipping from my face moments after. Needless to say, Eric's words were haunting me.

It's as if they were pushing me closer and closer to brink of insanity.

<< Hello love, » my eyes snapped up to meet his dark brown ones.

All the thoughts and nerves came to a halt when Sebastian entered the room, with his signature smirk intact.

I became a statue, and couldn't replace myself to even blink.

<< Evie ? » I heard Mason call out from next to me, but it was useless. I was in a trance of some sort. My eyes were glazing over and I felt my blood pressure drop significantly, instantly becoming light-headed and faint. << Whoa, whoa, » Sebastian said quickly, crouching down in front of me as my body lurched forwards from the couch.

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Callum, who had been standing silently by Sebastian, shot me a concerned look as Sebastian sat me upright.

<< Should I get the doctor? >>

<< Yes. >>

« No. »>

I had managed to break out of my trance, and just in time for that matter. I felt my heart begin to regain its steady pace and it felt as if life was beginning to seep back into me. Sebastian was watching me carefully as I took a deep breath and shook my head repeatedly.

<< No, no, I'm fine, I promise. >> A weak smile rose to my lips, but the anxiety and nerves had me frowning seconds later. My stomach clenched while Sebastian studied my features, his dark brown eyes searching me. << Are you sure? » He asked gently, his hands holding onto my own- something I had just noticed.

«Y-yes, » I told him, awkwardly pulling my hands away.

The doubt was clear as day on all of their faces, but I pretended to be oblivious and not acknowledge it.

<< So what's up with the meeting? » I said, looking around the room in question. In all truthfulness, it was just another sad attempt to change the subject. Fortunately, Sebastian's pity for me seemed to allow it to happen. << Yes well, »> Sebastian stood up, << I know the whole case with Eric Hook-<<

«

My body froze and my throat tightened, which thankfully went unnoticed by the boys.

<< -has taken a toll on all of us, so I thought tonight we could work on a smaller job, just to relax. >>

I inwardly scoffed at his suggestion. As relaxation we would take on a << smaller job, »> one in which a person would end up dead, yet it would somehow be relaxing for us.

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I guess for them it would serve its purpose, though as for me, I knew it would only intensify the emotional torture brewing within me.

<< Do you need all of us? >> I couldn't help but ask. It was pathetic, the lingering hope that held onto my words. I knew that hope was pointless, but it was inevitable. Sebastian turned to face me, as did Callum and Mason.

Normally, I would have stared them down daringly, my cold exterior up and ready to go. But right now, I was gripping the ends of my shirt tightly in my hands, breathing unevenly, and on the verge of breaking down in front of them. But that was something I couldn't do. It was against my rules to let myself lose it- because once I did, I was unsure if I'd ever recover.

But sometimes I think about how great it would feel to just have a complete breakdown. Not the one where you just cry pitifully, but one where you could let out all of your pain, and just feel like nothing was restraining you from doing so. It's you. You're restraining yourself.

<< Is there something wrong? » Mason asked slowly, << Do you not feel well? >>

I shrugged at his words, before shaking my head against my better judgment. << I'm fine. I'm sorry, I just forget it. Yeah I'll go, can't wait. >>

My pursed my lips closed, hoping to put an end to my treacherous word vomit. With one last forced, maniacal looking smile, I exited the room without another word.

I was surprised when no one stopped me, for I was aware that only through Sebastian's orders could one just leave a meeting, whether or not it was important. Maybe I had just gotten lucky.

<< Hey, Evie, wait a second. >>

Or not.

I stopped at the foot of the stairs. Contemplating if I was fast enough to get to my room before he caught up to me.

When I felt his hands turn me around, I knew I had lost my chance.