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"I know his background with the cult, if that's what you're asking"

"Then you already knohat there is to know about us"

Russell says it so cal But when it finally hits me, and I look at them one by one, and all of them only stare back at me with the same calmness—-

It reminds me of how calm Mr Sinister was as well, the first time he told me about Ypeíko I can't help but think it's a skill they've been forced to learn, to disassociate thee

"I'm so sorry" The words sound so inane, but I can't think of anything else to say I know my early exposure to porn isn't ideal, but co

"It's life," Gerard says with a shrug

"Were you alllike Raaf?"

Cain shakes his head "We were all born in the cult"

"Then your mothers were the ones ere—-" My voice trails off when Cain shakes his head again

"Let us just say, señorita," Ramon says with a hu There are indeed wo their number"

I look at theht now is to empathize

"You do not need to be sad about it, little madam It is all in the past, and it was not always bad," Gerard clarifies in an atte brother in those days, and he looked after us as best as he could"

"He also insists on being the same out here in the real world," Cain is quick to add in a patently worshipful tone "When the cult went down, Social Services did not waste ti us in foster care, but the boss made it a mission to track us down one by one"

"Raaf knew that not all of us would be able to reintegrate ourselves into society," Russell says with a humorless smile

"And those who could not, he took in himself Didn't he?"

"Exactly, señorita It is impressive that you already see him," Ramon teases "Perhaps you are soulmates?"

My cheeks are on fire once again, which of course the guys find absolutely funny And while I do know they're all just teasingwould it be so bad if I were to start thinking that I htmare come true?

I impulsively turn to the others, and the words just fly out of my mouth "Has he kidnapped anyone else before me?"