“So why didn’t you tell the police what you’d seen? Why let me take the fall?”
“When they interviewed me, you were still out there in the woods. I thought, fuck, I thought if I said anything then Kyle might come for me too. That he’d use his influence with our father, or the school to take me out too. It was the most cowardly thing I’ve ever done, but I’m trying to make up for it. I spent years existing in the shadows. Building a case against my brother so his whole life would implode around him. You’re the last piece of that puzzle. And while I couldn’t save Sarah, I can help you and her get the justice you deserve.”
“This is such bullshit. I was doing just fine and-”
“Were you?” I push off the counter and watch as she raises the knife. “You were doing just fine, Hazel? Living under analias. On the run. Hardly able to leave your own house. Does that sound just fine to you?”
“I told you to stay over there.” I walk closer, the dim moonlight casting a thin beam of light across the room.
“Sounds like more lies you tell yourself. Running from the truth. Not once during our little game did you pick Truth. Why is that?” I’m right back in front of her, knife back at my throat and her eyes blown wide. Looking like a deer in the headlights. My beautiful little doe. “You want to slit my throat? Do it. But it won’t change the truth of what happened. And you know it.”
“What does your tattoo mean?”
I go to grab her free hand, and she stiffens but lets me move it to my chest. Her fingers press into my flesh right above my fast-beating heart while the knife presses against my jugular. “It means, if you want peace, prepare for war. It’s Latin.”
She licks her lips studying the words, taking in my scars. Both of us have been fucked up by that night. Both physically and mentally. Left with the repercussions of Kyle’s actions, while he lives his life unscathed. Pampered and flush with everything he could ever want.
“I want to make him pay.” She says finally, dropping the knife to her side, and her determination in that statement makes me so fucking proud.
“Then let’s make him pay, together.”
I take her mouth, pressing her body into the wall. She melts against me, the knife clatters to the floor as she rakes her fingernails up my neck and into my hair. She’s right where she belongs. Finally in my arms.
CHAPTER 19
HAZEL
27 YEARS OLD
I can’t believeAce is here, in my house. That I’m kissing him right now, but fuck can he kiss.
I feel starved. Ravenous for more.
His story has me feeling broken, but in a way, that’s ignited a deep-seated rage. All these years, I’ve thought maybe, just maybe, the news outlets were right. That the police, the townspeople, everyone was right about me. That it was my fault. And I really could be a monster.
I didn’t know how desperately I wanted, no needed, to hear that it wasn’t. That who I am isn’t the person they’ve made me out to be for all these years.
Ace’s cock hardens beneath his jeans. My fingers fumble for his buttons as his hands slide up under the hoodie I’m wearing.
“I’ve never stopped looking for you, Hazel. Never.”
His pants come off easily, and I watch as his thick cock springs free, still sticky from earlier. He kisses my neck, then biting me hard enough to leave a mark, but I don’t care. I crave it. The pain, the physical touch just makes me feel something more than numb. Something other than soul gripping fear. No, this is bliss. A welcome change that lights my insides up and has me begging to be filled with him.
“Truth or Dare?” He asks pressing against my clit with his cock.
“Mmm.” I still feel too vulnerable, too raw to pick truth. I want to be brave, and face my fear head on, but the information is still so fresh. “Dare.”
He doesn’t look disappointed at my declaration though, he just smirks. Sliding his cock against my wet pussy, but not in to where I so desperately need it.
“I dare you to come with me to New York.”
“…What?” I’m stunned. Rendered frozen at what he wants.
“If you say yes, I’ll fill this pussy with my cock. I can feel how badly you want it.”
My head spins at what he’s asking of me. Going back to where I’ve spent a decade avoiding at all costs.
He presses his tip in and I feel myself clench around his girth. “That’s not playing fair.”
