“But what?”
“Even before the acid, they were covering for him, smearing my name to the police when I reported the stalking and afterward to the press. They made it out that I was a woman scorned and wanted revenge because I’d been dumped. His father even insinuated that I’d burned myself.” Her eyes glisten. “The threats Aaron made in the texts… knowing him and what he’d already gotten away with. He wouldn’t have stopped until he killed me. And they would have protected him.”
I can feel the veins in my temples throbbing. I didn’t know her then, but what I wouldn’t give for a fucking time-machine.
I run my hand over her hair. “I’m sure whatever Brady did or didn’t do, they won’t be able to find anything.”
“I know.” When she curls into me, resting her body against my chest, I feel the weight of her trust.
Something inside me locks into place—like this is where I’ve always been meant to be.
“I get his family wants answers, but I don’t know what they realistically expect. Part of me thinks this is just a way to punish me. Not just for him disappearing—because I think even they know I was in no state to direct anything. I was sedated most of the time. I think they’re angry because he was exposed as a monster. After my attack, a few other women came forward about how he treated them. He’d been accused of sexual assault before, but somehow his family had all the records buried.
"It wasn’t just that though.” Her hand drifts up to absently pet my pecs as she continues to remember. “Aaron was the oldest, the heir apparent, but he was also the black sheep if that makes sense. He was always saying how his father was never happy with him. He was constantly trying to think of something that would finally impress him. He worked at their company doing something with finances. I didn’t really understand.” Her words end with a yawn. “Sorry.”
Her face presses into my chest as I glide my hand up and down her spine.
“Don’t let go yet.”
“Not a chance.”
Her breathing evens out against me, slower now.
I press my mouth to the top of her head. Then I ease her back, hands steady on her arms, forcing myself to let go, even though every instinct in me wants to keep her right where she is.
“Come on,” I murmur. “You need sleep.”
“What about the food?”
“Are you hungry?” She shakes her head. “Neither am I.”
I pull back the covers of the bed we’ve been sitting on and wait until she’s settled before stepping away.
“I’m right here, if you need me.”
I kill the light and lie back on my mattress, hands folded behind my head, staring up at the dark ceiling.
“I’m scared.”
The quiet voice cuts straight through me. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“You, I’m afraid ofyou.”
My heart stops until her voice comes through the darkness again.
“You’re dangerous to my heart.”
“I’ll be careful with it,” I vow.
I lie there, every muscle coiled tight. I might not have access to the bratva right now, but Alex can help. I’ll need intel on the Taggerts and a plan to deal with them.
It’s not just her heart I plan on keeping safe. It’s everything else attached to it.
19
SERA
I wake before my alarm, my body still heavy with yesterday’s emotion. For a few disoriented seconds, panic is my first thought—He’s going to want to talk about what I revealed.
