“Gwen. I know Collin hurt you…” I trailed off, knowing I shouldn’t have started likethat. But in my defense, I'd a long ass day. She remained silent, but the fury shined brightly behind her eyes.
“Those men who chased after me…they were the evil ones, Gwen. I don’t remember much, just the pain. One of the men killed the man on the ferry. Jer told me that was a safe point, but I was the reason he was killed. I know for certain that I managed to get free. Because I ran to the man. I remember his blood on my hands…”
She shifted her weight, a single tear rolling down from her eye. Her hand wiped it away quickly as she tried to remain strong for me.
“One of them kicked me in this hip,” I explained, pulling down the side of my pants for her to see the yellowed bruise. A pained, regret-filled expression masked her pretty features.
“I was knocked out after that, and I don’t know how I got there. But I woke up chained up to the ceiling in some basement. I was naked.”
Gwen’s hand flew to her mouth.
“I heard voices…but one stood out among the rest. It was Collin, G. They took me to Collin. You should have seen the look on his face when he saw me. He was surprised, and then he looked pissed. Everything is a little foggy for a bit after that. I remember hearing screams, and then Collin asked me for permission.”
“Permission?” she questioned, her palm dropping to her chest.
I nodded. “He told me he couldn’t help me unless I said yes to him.”
She looked away, letting out a soft sigh. I closed the space between us, taking both of her hands in mine. I didn’t speak until she looked back at me.
“Collinsavedme.”
My beautiful friend was shocked, but even more confused. Not that I could blame her.
A man like Collin?
The most wanted man in the country, aside from Ray Romano? Saving me?
Hell, if I was in her position, I wouldn’t believe it either.
“I know you hate him—”
“I don’t hate him, Hals.” Her admission rocked me to my very core.
“What?” I breathed, staggering back a bit.
She stood to her full height and wrapped her arms around herself, bringing her gaze back to the small window. It was a cloudy day today, and I wished for rain. I had always loved the rain.
“I hate myself for trusting him so easily.”
“Gwen-”
“I was vulnerable, and he took advantage of that. I was young and naïve. He hurt me terribly, but I think my anger for him was actually hatred for myself.”
“Gwen, we've all made mistakes,” I reminded her gently. Who was I to judge?
“I know that, but I still don’t believe Collin isgood.He has been working for the fucking devil this whole time. Don't you honestly think that if he cared about us, he would've gotten out?”
Time for the big guns.
“Gwen. I don’t think Collin is loyal to Ray Romano.”
Her curls swung over her shoulder as she snapped her head back at me. “What did you just say to me?”
I told her everything.
When I was done, I held my breath waiting for the push back from her. Instead, she sighed and began playing with her curls, twisting one around her finger.
“She loves him, doesn’t she?”
