Page 52 of Love At Peace

My jaw dropped.

“And then when I called him out on it and left, he stayed and tried to do it again with one of my friends.”

My blood raced faster. Adrenaline surged through me, but oddly, it wasn’t out of fear. This rush was born of excitement.

“He’s used sedatives on me,” I said, failing to censor my words.

She nodded. “I believe it. He’s one of those kinds of creeps who don’t stop at anything.”

“Did you tell the police?” I asked.

They’d listen to her. She had prominence in town. Her voice mattered. It still wouldn’t change a fact about David being so sneaky and having connections, but her speaking up about this could make a difference. It wasn’t a guarantee that he’d get caught and be charged, but it was something.

“I was going to.” She shook her head, furious. “But when I told my dad, he told me not to. Because David Kenning donated to his mayoral campaign.” She huffed, shaking her head. “Assholes. I can’t stand men who think they can rule the world.”

Her attitude about hating men was likely just a power play, in that she wanted to be superior, but now wasn’t the time to worry about her motivations. I was shocked that she was speaking up against David, and I would ride with it.

“He made me delete the video my friend sent me, too. Someone caught him slipping the pill in her drink.”

My jaw was going to hit the floor at this rate of surprises.

“Do you still have that video?” Eric asked.

She nodded. “I was just biding my time to send it in. It seemed like he left town, but as soon as he’s back, I’m going to find him and rub it in his face that he was caught.”

“Is there a chance you can send that video to me too? In case you lose it.”

She smiled wide, showing how deviously wicked she could be. In this case, her hatred and loathing wasn’t directed at me, for a change. “It’s already uploaded as a draft. I’m just waiting for the opportune moment to share it.”

“Ashley?” I said, furrowing my brow. “I never thought I would say this, but thank you.”

Roarke had to hear about this. Marty too.

It still seemed like low odds to ever fight back a lying narcissist like David, but maybe outing him on social media would cause enough of a reaction that he’d be stuck facing the music for all he’d done.

If he could be caught, at all, it wouldn’t erase the pain of what I endured.

But I could sleep easier knowing no one else would be harmed.

And I could justify...staying.

With Roarke. In Burton.

Where I belong.

Chapter 20

Roarke

On Thanksgiving, I headed to Gavin and Wendy’s house to celebrate with them. Or, as Wendy and her sister put it, I was going there to watch all the football with my buddy. Which was true.

It was a day meant for families, and Nevaeh was the only family I really had left. I wasn’t approaching her, though, not until she could get her head out of her ass about being with David.

My worry for her never stopped, but like I told Heather, I had other priorities to look out for, like making sure she would stay and be safe in her hometown.

It didn’t escape my notice that she hadn’t told me that she loved me. When I gave her that declaration, she didn’t reply in kind. But I hadn’t expected her to. I didn’t assume that she would.

Yet.