AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I … I was a coward. At the same time, I was trying to protect you.”
My eyes widened, and I never, ever in a million years expected Cole to admit anything even close to being scared.
“After being with you, I couldn’t deny my feelings any longer. It fucked with my head. You’re my stepsister, and for a while I was able to lie to myself about how I felt. Then the video happened. I was so furious when I saw you with Ibrahim and Matt, I thought I was going to lose my fucking mind. I hated them both, but I hated you for not understanding that … I’ve … it doesn’t matter. You’re here now.” He ran his hands under the hot spray, rinsing them. “I think I got it all. You can rinse your hair.”
“Cole,” I whispered. “Thank you. Thank you for finding me and …” I swallowed, sifting through what I was attempting to say. “And for telling me.” I turned, allowing the water to run over me, washing the last of the physical evidence away. I suspected shock was written all over my face. My heart thumped erratically, beating against my rib cage.
Cole glanced at me, then stepped out of the shower. “Sure. I’ll be here until you finish.”
“Okay.” Even though he was still in the bathroom, I was grateful for a few minutes to myself. I gently washed every crevice of my body. Normally women would have a rape kit and exam, but Ibrahim was dead. It wasn’t like the police could charge him with a crime.Cole had killed him. For me.
“Cole?”
“Yeah?”
“How did you know where I was?” I turned the handle, shutting the shower off. Opening the door, I stepped onto the cushy grey floor mat.
Cole had already dressed in a basic black T-shirt and dark wash jeans. He gave me a towel. I dried my hair, then he passed me another one for my body. I soaked up the droplets of water, then wrapped the soft material around me. “I don’t have any clothes.”
“I’ll give you one of my shirts. Not sure what to do about some pants, though.” Cole rubbed his chin.
“I can wear some of your boxer briefs. They’re probably soft and will at least cover me.”
Cole grinned like an idiot. “I might like that idea.”
I smiled, suddenly shy in front of him.
“To answer your question, it was Zoe. She said she couldn’t reach you and that you were meeting Ibrahim. Zoe used some app to track you before you dropped off the grid. It was enough for us to get close and search the area. Hell, I wasn’t even a hundred percent sure you were in the house, but the guys and I heard voices, so I had to take the chance.”
My mouth gaped. “What? Did you know he was a piece of shit when you saw the video?” My legs trembled as images of Ibrahim raping me took front and center in my brain.
Cole’s cheeks paled. “I wasn’t sure. We were looking into any and all possibilities. At the time, other than the two of you …” He ran his fingers through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. “There weren’t any red flags. He did a good job at covering his tracks.”
Anger replaced my fear and rolled to a full-on boil inside me. I gripped the edge of the counter so I wouldn’t lose my shit. One second, I was terrified and the next ready to hurt someone. Stability wasn’t on my radar at the moment. “I was in danger, and you never told me?”
“No. I wasn’t sure, Shae. I didn’t want to scare you. Think about it, if I’d warned you away from Ibrahim would you have listened?”
“Shit.” I rubbed my face with my hands, regretting the day I’d ever met that fucker. “You have a point.” I stared at the floor, desperately needing to change the conversation. “Can I get dressed?”
“Yeah. Come on.” He led us into the same bedroom he’d handcuffed me in. I sat on the edge of the bed, my temple and body still pounding and throbbing from the abuse. “Do you have any Advil?”
Cole knelt in front of me, his blue eyes finding mine. “If you’re up for it, I’ll feed you and grab you some pain reliever. You’ve got a nasty bruise and lump close to your eye. Shae, you need to be checked out. You might have a concussion.”
I shook my head, then winced. “No. I can’t have anyone touch me other than you, Cole. Please.” My lip trembled as sorrow sucked me in like a whirlpool in the middle of the ocean.
Cole stood, then opened his dresser drawers and removed some clothes for me. “The MC has a doctor on call. She’s good and it’s all confidential. If you want, we can reach out to her, and she’ll come here.” Cole’s face was full of compassion and understanding. “I need to know that you’re okay.”
“I’ll never be okay again.” I looked out the window, the green tree leaves moving in the summer breeze.
“Shae, I’ll make sure you’re all right.” Cole gave me a pair of his boxer briefs.
“I don’t want Daddy to know I was raped. I’m too ashamed, so if your doctor will keep that secret and you’ll stay, I’ll let her examine me.”
“There’s nothing for you to be ashamed about, Shae. Ibrahim was fucking unhinged. Let’s get you fed, and I’ll have King make the call.” Cole placed a kiss on the side of my head. “Meet me in the kitchen when you’re ready.”
I watched him stroll out of the room, his shoulders were squared and stiff with tension. Whoever was fucking with him would be lucky if they walked away from the shit show they’d started. Oddly enough, I felt safer with Cole and the MC. Protected. But I sure as hell wouldn’t ignore their warnings anymore. Even though Ibrahim was dead, I knew the danger wasn’t over. Not for me, and not for Cole.
ChapterSixteen
