She scoffed.“I don’t trust any man. Except James. And you.”
Relief coursed through me. I wouldn’t have blamed her if she didn’t trust me, but I would have spent the rest of my life winning it back. I kissed her forehead, pulling her into my embrace.“Good. Because we’rethengoing to see your brother, and we’re telling himeverything.”
Chapter 27
Kiera
If it wasn’t for James stroking his thumb along Willow’s thigh while she sat in his lap, I would have thought my brother had turned into a statue as I repeated the events of the worst night of my life for a second time.
I had expected him to fly off the handle, to storm out of the house and straight to the Rivers’ house to murder Ethan.
But he didn’t.
He listened.
And silently plotted.
His gaze kept lowering to where my hand was clasped in Jackson’s, his jaw subtly clenching, and I couldn’t help but believethatif it wasn’t for Willow sitting in James’ lap, keeping him calm, he would have ripped Jackson’s throat out for touching me.
Because Jackson was his best friend or because it was his father who raped me, I didn’t know, and I could only hopethatwhen Billie was home, and the dust had settled, James and Jackson didn’t lose their friendship.
“That’s it,”I said, reaching the end of the story, bringing him up to speed with why my face was battered and why I needed his help.“Now you know the truth about Billie’s father.”
James remained silent, his thumb pausing its path over Willow’s skin. I stared at my brother, waiting for him to explode like dynamite, and somewhat bemused by his affection for Willow.
The first time I met her at dinner a few weeks ago, I hadn’t been convinced of their marriage. Sheseemedlike a sweet girl, far too innocent for someone like James, yet it was clear as day as she snuggled against his chest, and he refused to release her from his embrace,thatthe two of them were in love.
An affectionate smile wanted to lift my lips. Good for James, he deserved love. As did Jackson, and nowthathe knew the truth and hadn’t run a mile, I had hopethatwe could have a future together.
But Billie came first.
“You’re kinda freaking me out, James,”I blurted, unable to take the thickened atmosphere filling James’ office.
A snarl contorted on his face before his angry glare snapped to Jackson.“What do you plan on doing about him?”
“What do you think?”Jackson replied, his body tensing as he held James’ challenging eyes.
James’ head tilted to one side.“You got it in you to kill your father?”
“For what the cunt has done? Yeah, you fucking bet I have.”
My brows shot up as alarm worked its way through me.“You can’t kill your dad!”
Jackson squeezed my hand.“You think I’m gonna let him live to see another day after what he’s done to you?”
An invisible hand wrapped around my throat. Legion rules dictatedthatone member couldn’t cause harm to another without serious repercussions. Serious repercussions, meaning death. If Jackson or James hurt Ethan, they’d be killed too.
“Jackson, you can’t! Legion rules-”
“Legion can go to hell.”His tone softened as he met my panicked gaze.“Kiki, he hurt you. He ruined your life. I couldn’t help you ten years ago, but now I can.’”
“But-”
“But nothing, Kiera,”James barked.“Besides. Ethan broke Legion rules first.”I raised a brow, glancing curiously at my brother.“You were a child ofLegion when he raped you. You were protected by Legion rules, something our father should have acted upon as soon as he found outthatEthan attacked you. Jackson is right. He, nor I, could help you ten years ago, but we can now.”
“We call a meeting,”Jackson chimed in.“We present the evidence to the others on the board,justlike we did when you had the evidence against your father, andthenwe vote.”
I looked between James and Jackson, wondering what evidence they’d found against my father, especially as it had resulted in my father’s death. A question for another time, though. I wasn’t sure I had the brain capacity for any other bombshells.
