Page 7 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

Harper will forgive me this. She’ll understand. I touch Emma’s shoulder. We’re beyond what we agreed to at the beginning, and this is for comfort.

“You need to report them.” Even as I say the words, I know she won’t. They’re rich boys with deep pockets. And she’s always been seen as a promiscuous girl. It’s not fair.

“Why are you here, Jack?” She rolls over and her eyes are red-rimmed from crying, but she’s flinging her anger at me, needing a target.

“I’m here as your friend.” I let my hand drop to the bedspread.

“You’re just worried your girlfriend will be next.” Her eyes spit fire, but I know Emma. She needs to push me away when I get too close. Because under that fire is fear.

“I’m here because someone told me you left a party crying. I’m here because I’ve known you since we were kids.” My hand slides through my hair. “I’m here because you got hurt, and that shouldn’t have happened.”

Emma rolls onto her side to face me, tucking her hands beneath her head. She looks at the pillow next to hers. I roll my eyes, but lie down facing her. When we were young and everyone else started having sex, we would talk to each other like this. Wanting to be close but not cross that line.

Even as sexual as we both are, we waited until we were truly ready to make that leap.

“It was fine at first. Two guys, not nearly as big as you and Caden.” She rolls her eyes. “When they invited the others in, I thought they just wanted to watch. Not usually my thing, but I’m all for experimenting. I figured they’d take turns. I thought it might be fun.”

I brush her hair off her face. “Then what?”

A tear falls down to her pillow. “They all crowded in, and I told them to give me some space.”

I draw in a breath to cool the rage welling inside me.

“It hurt, Jack. There were too many of them. I didn’t say no or stop, but I didn’t want that.” Her watery gaze holds mine. “They didn’t care. Hannah found me and got me out of there with the help of Mike Cook.” She smiles softly through her tears. “He’s a nice guy. You know? Mike. He made sure they left with more than a few bruises.”

He’s the kind of guy who’s respectful and takes things slow. Not usually Emma’s speed, but he would make a good hero.

“I’m glad he was there for you.” If we’d been there, that shit never would have happened.

“Mike stopped by this morning to make sure I was okay.” She picks at her blanket. “Asked me to Homecoming.”

There’s a softness in her voice like she might actually like Mike. We’re both very sexual by nature, but it’s hard to let someone get close enough to become emotionally attached.

“Did you say yes?” Something settles in me because I know Cook is one of the good guys, even if we aren’t sure about him being loyal to us. He’s the middle kid with older sisters and younger sisters. He’ll treat Emma well or his sisters will collectively kick his ass.

“Yeah.” Her smile falls, and she looks up at me through her lashes. “These guys weren’t playing. They were aggressive about it. If Hannah and Mike hadn’t stopped them, I’m not sure what they would have done.” Her gaze locks on mine. “I don’t know if I’ll be the last one they try it on.”

“Do you know who was in on it?” I blow out a breath.

“Zach and his crew.” She flinches. “Zach didn’t participate, but he told his guys what to do. He wanted it to hurt.”

I smooth my hand over her dark hair. “I’m sorry this happened to you, Emma. We’ll do what we can to make it right.”

She nods and gets this far off look.

“Will you stay a little while?” Tears fill her eyes as she raises them to me. “I haven’t been able to sleep today. I keep expecting them to show up.”

“Yeah, I can stay a little while.” I send a quick text to the group chat.

“I’ve missed this,” she says softly after a few minutes. She opens her eyes and meets mine. “You and me. I miss being your friend. I get that you’re with Harper, but I miss you.”

“We’ll work it out, Em.” Because she is my friend. There’s no threat to Harper here. Sometimes it can be really lonely when you’re different than others. When you want things they don’t understand. “Go to sleep. I’ll make sure this gets taken care of.”

CHAPTER 3

The Quiet

Harper