“You need to be careful,” he said, his tone harsh.
I ignored him. “Did you really not know about the trafficking?” A man who values consent this much wouldn’t run rape rings, right?
He was silent, his eyes snapping up to mine for a moment before dropping back down to the bruise as his fingers pressed into the skin around it. “Tender anywhere?”
“Just the bruise. Answer the question,” I pressed.
“Maybe I should kill you,” he grumbled.
“Then tell James I love him before he kills you,” I hissed, tears falling down my face. “You don’t scare me, Collin. Answer the fucking question. James has proof of them! I've seen the file, the photos, the reports from survivors—all of it.”
He ignored me.
“Goddammit, Collin—"
“I’ll send Karina in here. I’m sure you two are due for a fucking tea party,” he said coolly, cutting me off as he gently lifted my leg back up onto the mattress before he walked away.
He didn’t know. He knew nothing. My chest caved in. The revelation settled around me as I began to feel lightheaded. I was right and that meant…
Collin didn’t know Ray Romano was his father.
****
“Haley! Oh God, Haley!”
My eyes fluttered open to reveal a blonde angel standing above me.Kay.
In an instant, my body was ready to move. I reached for her, and she met me halfway, sitting on the bed beside me. Her arms wrapped around me, her palm caressing the back of my head, stroking my hair.
My best friend was here—with me, whole. She smelled of vanilla, causing my stomach to flip because I knew in my soul that was Collin’s doing.
“Kay,” I breathed, squeezing her tighter in contrast to her gentle hold on me. She whispered apologies in my ear, over and over, her voice cracking more with each one. I shook my head and pulled away, finally looking into her baby blues.
“What are you apologizing for?” Her beauty struck me. She was dressed in normal—wait, designer clothes, and she looked healthy. She was wearing dark jeans, a black silk tank with a baby blue cardigan. My eyes dropped down to the brace on her wrist, and I pointed to it, raising a brow. “What the hell is that?”
She shook her head and gestured to me. “This is all my fault; I should have never sent that letter to you. I made you a target.”
“No, Kay. That isn’t why I'm here.”
She tilted her head in confusion, her silky blonde hair falling over her shoulder. Karina Jones had some of the prettiest hair I had ever seen. I had always been jealous of it. Unable to help myself, I reached for a few strands. “You didn’t get the letter? Col must have gotten to it…”
I smiled at his nickname. She was the only one who got away with calling him that. I remembered once when Kevin—
“I got it. We all read it. Kay, no offense, but that was a stupid plan. Did you really think that we wouldn’t come for you?” I asked, pinning her with my stare. “You sent a letter to me telling me to keep everyone away so you could get through to him.”
She looked back at the door, and my eyes followed, surprised to find the room empty. “Hals, I know it sounds crazy, but there is good in him,” she said in a rush as she turned back to face me, her features melting a little.
“You're still in love with him, aren’t you?” I whispered as she took my hands in hers, holding my eyes. She nodded. “I don’t think I ever stopped. I tried—believe me. After seeing Kevin get beaten, I was in denial, but when he stabbed my brother…I needed to hate him. I tried to. God, I did everything I could think of Haley.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I get it,” I said softly, running my fingers through her hair.
“How did you get here, Hals?” she whispered.
My brows came together. “He didn’t tell you?”
She shook her head, looking out the window. “He rarely speaks to me, Hals.”
“Kay, you have been here for months,” I said in disbelief.
