2

Esmeray-

I slowly opened my eyes to a white ceiling and some low beeping sounds. I looked around and saw machine, I was attached to it.

I looked at my slowly to see a man in a casual shirt and joggers. His tattoos peaked from his shirt at his neck.

"Hello," I whispered but he heard me and he smiled.

His smile, that unfamiliar emotion in his eyes warmed my heart.

"You saved me?" I asked my next question and he nodded.

"We did." He answered with a smile.

"Thank you. That was what I prayed before I passed out." I said the last part softly.

And if he heard, he didn't say anything. I was grateful.

"Can I be a little selfish?" I asked meekly and he looked surprised.

"Be as selfish as you can angel." He said with a smile.

I looked for any sign of sarcasm or if he is on purpose. But there is none.

"Come here." I pat the side besides me on the bed and move a little.

He looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I nod again pointing to my hand. He gets up and sits besides me.

I slowly lean on his side, resting my head on his chest. I pulled up the blanket over us and closed my eyes. His body was tensed, but he soon relaxed. His heart was beating so calmly, it felt like a lullaby.

"Can you run your fingers through my hairs, it helps me sleep. My friend used to do it before he..." I bit my lip to stop myself from crying and tighten my grip on his shirt.

He doesn't push me with further questions, but I feel his hand press me further into his chest as he lifts me up, sitting me in his lap. His fingers play with my hairs. And as I drift off into a land of slumber, I feel him kiss my head softly, mumbling something that I couldn't really understand.

********

Ethan King-

If anyone would have told me that there would be a time, I would have a little angel order me to sit besides her on her bed, making me play with her beautiful white hairs, I would start laughing and then kill the person.

But who am I kidding?

When she patted the spot besides her on the bed, I raised my eyebrow and she just nodded pointing to her hand. I was compelled. I just listened. Didn't fight back, didn't throw insults, nothing.

Just listened to her.

When she leaned on me resting her head on my chest, it took everything in me not to push her away. She pulled the covers over us and I let her do her thing.

"Can you run your fingers through my hairs, it helps me sleep. My friend used to do it before he..." she suddenly stopped, but I saw her lower lip wobble as if she was trying to stop herself from crying.

I didn't push her with anymore questions. Something bad must have happened and she will tell us in her own time, whenever she feels like it.

I put my arm around her pulled her close. Without thinking much, I lifted her up and sat her on my lap. She didn't mind. I did what she asked. I slowly my fingers through her hairs.

I felt her body relax, so I kissed her head.

"We won't ever leave you. I promise." I mumbled, not bothering if she heard or not.

A while later, the door opened and my brothers walked in. They froze in their steps as they saw our angel in my lap.

"Not. A. Single. Loud. Noise." I spoke in a low no nonsense tone.

She stirred, but didn't wake up. My brothers sat around the bed.

"What happened?" Alex asked and soon two more people entered.

"Nothing, she woke up. Asked me if we saved her and I said yes. Then she thanked us for doing so asked if she could be a little selfish. I said she could be all selfish. Then she literally ordered me to sit besides her and run my fingers through her hairs. It seems to help her help. Her friend used to do it before he, I don't know." I explained.

"He?" Rex asked. Already protective.

"Before what?" Elijah asked and I shrugged.

"She bit her lip to stop herself from crying. So I'm guessing something happened and it wasn't a pleasant memory. Therefore I didn't push further." I explained and no one spoke.

"You know what she prayed before she passed out?" I asked and all heads snapped to me.

"What?" Nate asked, his eyes very soft and glistening.

"She prayed for somebody to save her. But I don't think she meant for me to hear it. But I did. And I couldn't help wonder why she would pray so. But then, you see this." I said and pointed to her hand, the sleeve was a bit pulled up.

"These are cuts, and they were on purpose. Self harm. She wanted to die. Do you think we gave them easy deaths? We read her diary entry. She mentioned a friend who was a doctor. We can find him. We will know what happened. But again, she mentioned the whippings, beatings which were a daily routine. She's not even an adult, if I have to guess. I can feel all her bones, Nate. I wish we found her sooner, then we could have tortured those bastards for 100 long years." I ranted and the room was silent.

"She's worked her magic on you, Twinny. You never speak so much. Today feels like you've spoken your quota for the whole of next 10-15 years." Elijah joked and my lips quirked up slightly.

"Alex, my birthday's coming up in two days. I know what I want this year." I spoke up suddenly and Alex narrowed his eyes.

"Are we seriously talking about your birthday?" Nate asked gritting his teeth.

"I want her. Adopt her will you? I need a sister. We all need a sister. All our lives we've been wanting one. As cringey as it sounds, and no matter if you tease me for life after this for being all sappy, it's worth it. Please, Alex. I don't think I've ever asked anything willingly from you since I turned 16. But this year, I want her. Let's adopt her, yeah? Oh and good, Mikhail, it's your job to get the papers ready for adoption. Nathan get her DNA check to see if he has anyone. They can visit if they want to, but I'm not letting her go. Please." I said it and now fuck whatever happens.

Before anyone could say anything, I felt our angel hum and stir. But this time, she woke up and looked up at me.

"Good nap?" I asked brushing her hairs slightly from her face.

"Yes, can we go out. It looks beautiful out there." She whispered softly and I smiled.

"Sure, but do you want to meet my brothers who also helped in saving you?" I asked and she thought a little before nodding.

"Are they good as you? Will they like me? I don't want to be hurt anymore. I'm tired." She whispered and somebody took a sharp breath in.

She flinched. And she flinched hard at the sound. She slowly turned around, her eyes wide.

"I-" She couldn't speak.

Alex stood up and sat besides me facing her. He leaned in and kissed her head.

"We're not mad. You're right to think like that. People have been hurting you all along. I will tell you honestly, we are worst than the people you've stayed with. But if we have to put out lives on line to protect you, we will. In a heartbeat. But we won't ever hurt you. Okay?" He asked softly and we've never heard that voice from him in years.

"Okay," she answered after a while.

She slowly extended her arm and held his large hand in her tiny ones.

Alex and we all just watched her. She was unpredictable. And what she said later made us freeze.

"My mom, dad, they were killed in front of me. I was six. I was made to watch as they killed them, as life left them. Then Master and Madam took me away. They whipped me, beat me, kicked me, carved on my body with knives and burned me. It was a routine. Every day one hour. If I did anything or even if they were just in mood to do beat me up, an extra hour would be added or it continued till I passed out. My parents had some debts which they couldn't afford to pay. They still made some money and sent me to school. I was bullied for my white hairs. My mom dad didn't have white hairs. Master and Madam didn't either. My school teacher said it's genetic. I was told my mom dad weren't parents either. I don't know where to go after this or what to do. I want to live too. I've had enough and I don't think I can handle anymore pain. Because although I so badly want to die, I feel like living might not be as bad." She sobbed still holding Alex's hand.

The room was silent and the only sound was her sobs. We all felt so helpless, so powerless. Nobody knew what to do with this new information. We didn't know how to comfort her or soothe her pain.

"Can I adopt you? Will you be okay with that?" Alex asked and my head snapped up to him. But his eyes were on the little girl.

"Esmeray, the choice is yours. We won't force you. All you have to-" He was cut short and she jumped into his arms wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.

"Yes, please do. Thank you so much." She sobbed, her hot tears scalding his skin under the shirt.

He instantly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head.

"Mikhail, you and your police friend have heard everything, there won't be a repeat. Get things done as soon as possible. Is that understood?" He asked firmly.

"Consider it done." Mikhail answered.

"And we will change her name too. She will be Luna Estelle King. Is that okay, princess?" He asked her resting his cheek on her head.

"Whatever you think is good for me. I know you know the best." She replied and he kissed her head again.

"Always the best for my baby." He answered.

"Yeah, always." The others answered too.

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