Page 15 of Unchained

“Did Shayla know what he was like? Did she know he was using her?”

“Not at first. I didn’t even know they were dating. Had no clue he’d sunk his claws into her until it was too late. As far as she knew, she was a single mother being sold a fairytale. I told her the truth, but she refused to believe me. So, I had to prove what kind of man she was married to. One night, I took her to his mistress’s house and let her catch him in the act of fucking one of his many girlfriends.”

Oh my God. Shayla’s world must’ve crumbled.

“Didn’t realize until it was too late what a mistake that was. Shay barged inside and confronted him right then. I chased in after her, wanting to stop her, but it was too late. Rodriguez was fucking livid. He told her that he could fuck anyone one he pleased and she didn’t have a say in the matter. He then shot his girlfriend right in front of us and said that she better not question him again or she’d end up like his mistress.”

I don’t know if I can hear anymore. It’s all so horrifying. No wonder Kai is terrified.

“And to prove his point to me, to show me exactly what happened to those who crossed him, he pinned me with the crime, and I was sent away for life without parole. I sat in prison for nearly twenty-four hundred days in fear of what that monster was going to do to my sister and nephew.”

I wrap my arms around him, nuzzling into his neck as the tears start to slide down my cheek. It’s so unfair. Life can be so cruel. He was an innocent man trying to get his life back on track and he wound up in the devil’s lair.

There has to be a way to expose the truth. There has to be a way to set them all free. Rodriguez is the one who needs to be behind bars. He’s the one who needs to pay for his crimes. The police should be hunting that man down.

But my brother has tried.

“I’m so sorry, Trevor.”

He hugs me tighter, kissing the top of my head, and I feel the emotion stirring in my chest. A feeling I’d rather not give light to.

“Please don’t cry, princess. I didn’t mean to make you sad.” He runs his hands through my hair, trying to settle me, but I should be the one trying to erase his pain. “He’s going to get what’s owed to him, babe. As soon as I get my sister and Kai somewhere safe, I’m going to make Rodriguez pay.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I sit up, panic setting in. Rodriguez will kill him if he’s not careful.

“You saying you care about me, baby?”

I don’t want to admit the truth, but I think this man deserves to know that someone cares about him.

“Yes. I do.”

“Like those words, babe. They have me picturing things I’m not allowed to have.”

But what if he could have them?

CHAPTER 14

Trevor

Iknow I should get back to the house, but I don’t want to leave her. I can’t remember a time in my life when I felt this at peace. Talking to her is easy. Being with her feels good. Safe. And fucking her is off the chain.

But I need to take off before the sun rises and I’m at risk of being seen. Plus, I need to get back before my sister wakes up and finds me missing. She’ll be meddling in my business and I’m definitely not ready to answer her questions. Not even ready to admit what I’m feeling to myself, because at the end of the day, I can’t keep her.

“Need to get back, Princess. But any chance you’ll be stopping by later to check in on your listing? You need to make sure no vagrants are squatting in the place.”

Her little smirk has my pulse racing. The girl is threatening my defenses.

“Are you saying you want to see me again?”

I lean forward and pull her to me for a kiss, showing her exactly what I want. “Yeah, I want to see you,” I admit, getting hit with a twinge of guilt when the words leave my mouth, and I see her cheeks light up. There’s an ending here that’s inevitable, but I guess I want to live in denial for as long as I can and just enjoy my time with her.

“I’ll come by after work.”

“And when do you get off work?”

I need to know how many hours I have to wait before I get to see her again.

“I’ll be done by four, and then I’ll come by. I’ll bring dinner. Is there something you want?”