He has a key.
Two seconds later, he rapped his knuckles on the bathroom. “Threads? You okay?”
My throat closed up. I wanted the ground to fissure and swallow me.
“Nila, answer me. I’m worried about you.”
Swallowing back a sudden avalanche of tears, I pushed off from the wall to open the door.
Only the door swung wide, presenting my perfect brother in jeans and a white t-shirt. He looked as if he’d stepped off a runway, while I looked like a homeless ragamuffin.
His eyes went first to the damn pregnancy test in the vanity, then swung to me.
His dusky colouring went ashen; his eyes darkened. “Please. Please.Pleasetell me that animal didn’t fuckingrapeyou.” Prowling forward, he seethed in the small space. His temper bounced off the tiles, ricocheting with violence. “Nila, tell me right now. Did that cocksucker fucking touch you?!”
I laughed. If only it had been that easy. Thatawful. I would have an excuse for my stupidity. This was all on me.
V’s lips twisted in horror as my laugh turned into a sob.
It wasn’t rape. It was glorious. It was everything I ever wanted and can never have again.
More tears erupted, giving way to the avalanche.
“Threads, hey. It’s okay. We can get you help.” Vaughn closed thedistance and tugged me into his arms. “It’s okay, sis. Honest. I’ve got you.”
His concern was worse than his anger.
More tears.
More sobs.
I struggled. I didn’t want him touching me. Not when I didn’t know if I could live with myself. But his gentle warmth—so unlike Jethro’s frostiness—seeped into me. I sagged. I hadn’t let myself cry since the morning I’d been taken from Hawksridge. But now, I couldn’t stop.
I let it all go.
Somehow amongst my tears, I stuttered, “He—he didn’t ra—rape me, V.”
Just admitting I’d brought this on myself filled me with another wave of shame, of remorse.
V stiffened. His arms bunched as he pulled back, looking into my eyes. “What do you mean, he didn’t...” Understanding suddenly swamped his face. “Fuck, Nila! Yousleptwith him?” Tearing his hands from me as if he were contaminated, he snarled, “You slept with that motherfucker—willingly?”
My tears dried up. I hung my head. “Vaughn, don’t.”
“Don’t?” He stormed to the vanity and swiped the pregnancy test into his fist. He shoved it in my face, hiding the viewing window so I couldn’t see if I’d just ruined my life by being impregnated with Hawk spawn.
“You slept with him unprotected!” He snorted. “Bet Tex will be so happy to know all his energy at keeping you sheltered was in vain. The first guy you’re around and you have to fucking screw him and get pregnant!”
“I don’t know if I’m pregnant yet!”
“Should we find out then?” He presented his palm, holding up the test. “I can’t believe you. God, Nila!”
I didn’t want to see.
I wanted to see.
The results were upside down.
V noticed at the same time I did. He rolled his fingers so the test bounced upright.
