Page 57 of Read With Your Heart

“He’s Trent’s younger brother, and I practically raised him. Want me to ask him to come over here?”

Lys turns on me. “No.” Panic and fear fill her big eyes as she adamantly shakes her head. I chuckle despite her refusal.

“Okay, girlie. Your secret is safe with me.” Lord knows she’s keeping the secret about her brother and me. I don’t have any idea what she thinks of us together. It’s something to be asked but not tonight.

My niece, Meghan, who’s also a freshman, comes up to Lys shortly after we see Levi. Meghan is quieter than her senior sister, Madison, much like how Lena and Lys are different. I’m pleased when I hear my niece ask Lys to come join a group of girls hanging out in the corner.

Lena disappeared almost as soon as we entered the party.

There’s a makeshift bar along the back wall under the watchful eye of Jess, Tom, and Ethan Scott. Ethan and I grew up together, making us friends by default because of our older siblings. Their other brother Gavin was Jess’s best friend when they were kids, and then obviously Karyn married Tom. I haven’t seen Ethan in a while. He was working at The Elk Resort off the highway toward Traverse City, but I’d heard he’d lost his job. I don’t know what he’s been doing, but he’s always been closer to my sister, Pam, than to me. Ethan had a crush on her, or at least he did as a kid. Now, he just plays it up, poking Pam for a reaction, which he never gets. My sister is a tough nut to crack despite her easygoing, all-American look, but I also think she’s in love with some mystery man.

As I saunter up to the bar and hang in the shadows, I chat with Emily, Jess’s girl, who is fast becoming one of my favorite people.

“Hey,” Emily greets me. “How are you doing?” I’ve become close with my brother’s girlfriend. She knows that Trent hasn’t signed the divorce papers, and my lawyer is taking the actions necessary to file without his consent.

“I’m good, but I’d be better if Trent would just sign the damn papers,” I grumble.

“I totally understand,” Emily says, but I don’t think she does. She doesn’t know the truth. No one in my family does, and that’s the way I want to keep it. I didn’t want them to know what he’d done to me. I just want to divorce him and forget I’d ever married him. Of course, I can’t really forget those years with Trent. I can only hope I’ve learned, grown, and moved on. In many ways, I have. I finally wised up and moved out. Then I met Leon, and I’ve grown by learning how to accept what it means to have a man give himself to me. Well, at least, giving me his body and his attention. I’d like his love, but I’m content with things as they are. I can’t ask him for more while I’m still stuck because of Trent.

If I completely dismiss my time with Trent, I’d have to ignore that I truly care about his younger brother, who I again see across the barn. He’s turning into such a nice-looking young man, and I can only hope his insides remain as beautiful as his outside. Trent can be influential over his younger brother. Levi has been caught between hate and hero worship toward his brother, and it’s a dangerous combination.

“I love your costume, by the way,” Emily states, interrupting my thoughts. She’s dressed like Sandy from Grease to match Jess’s look as Danny Zuko. He really doesn’t look much different from his everyday appearance. Karyn and Tom thought it would be fun to have a couple’s contest—famous couples—and it’s another reminder I’m alone. I’d miss Trent, but I just don’t. Instead, I wish Leon was here.

With thoughts of him, I’m ready to leave even though it’s only been an hour. I haven’t seen Lena since we arrived, but I don’t worry about her. However, I rode here in her Jeep. Emily offers to take me home, and Karyn tells me she can get Lys home later somehow. The collection of girls Lys hangs with are having fun together, and I don’t want to make her leave early just because I’m suddenly a party pooper.

I’m setting my beer down in the recycling bin, turning my back to the crowd, when an arm circles me.

“Step outside with me.”

I freeze. There is no way I’m going anywhere with Trent, and I spin in his arms despite his hold. He’s dressed head to toe in his normal attire, clad in militia-style gear even though he’s never been in the military. He hunts animals, not people, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t gun-happy or have the ability to stalk someone.

“I was just about to leave,” I tell him, pushing against his chest with both hands. He backs me into the wall.

“Then we can walk out together.”

“I don’t think so,” I say, still struggling within the circle of his arms. His fingers dig into my side, and I know what will come next. He’s going to pinch me to keep me in place, only I won’t let him. I hack at his elbow with a karate chop I learned watching a self-defense video. His hold on me breaks, and I push at him with enough force to allow me to slide away from the wall. As I step left, I smack into something hard, solid, upright, and covered in black.

Trent grabs my upper arm again, but I clutch at the vision before me. A soft T-shirt curls under my fingers as I lift my head to see a set of strings tying a cape around a masculine neck. A mask covers his eyes and a black hat with a wide, flat rim rests on his head, but I’d recognize him anywhere.

“Pretty lady, are in you need of some assistance?” he questions, deepening his accent, and I’d laugh if I wasn’t so stunned.

Leon is dressed as Zorro.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he says, his voice softening.

“She was just leaving,” Trent interjects, but Leon’s arm is already wrapped around my waist, tugging me to him.

“Release her,” Leon growls, glancing at Trent.

“Or what? Are you threatening me?” Trent hisses, stepping closer. “Lay a finger on me and it will send you right back behind bars where you belong.” Trent makes a monkey noise to emphasize his point.

My neck cranes, looking up at Leon with my hands still curled into his shirt. Is this true? If he touches Trent, could he be sent back to jail? Is it that easy? And how does Trent know Leon was in jail?

Trent shoves Leon’s shoulder. “Man, do not do this,” Leon warns, his body tightening. His hold on me stiffens. I slip as best I can between them, with my back to Trent and my front to Leon. Leon’s arm lifts as if he wants to shove Trent back. Instead, he holds it outward with his palm up, warning Trent to step back.

“Come on,” Trent hisses, reaching around me again to push at Leon’s shoulder. Leon stumbles back, taking me with him as we seem to cling to one another.

“Trent, get out of here,” I hiss. My head moves from one side of Leon’s body to the other to see Jess and Tom approaching. When I return my focus to Leon, still keeping my body between the men as best I can, Trent pushes at Leon one more time. Leon reacts by swiping out his hand, catching Trent’s wrist and twisting it behind his back while moving me to his side.