Page 108 of Slaughter

His words trail off, and I understand them perfectly. In case I have nightmares.

He stays silent beside me while I try to take a few calming breaths. After a while, he breaks the silence. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. I can’t. I didn’t tell him what happened eleven years ago, and I won’t tell him what happened now. “I just … need a shower,” I say, getting out of his bed and making my way to his bathroom on shaky legs.

“Do you need some help?” he asks, getting out of bed.

“No,” I answer, not looking back at him.

“I’m sorry, Bunny.”

His words make me stop, and I turn back to face him. He now stands beside the bed, his hands in the pocket of his dark jeans, and his dark blue eyes travel up and down my body. He flinches as if he fucking cares what happens to me when he gets to the bandage on my leg. “For what?” I ask, fisting my hands down by my side.

His eyes meet mine. “For what Vaughn did to you.”

Vaughn? I throw my head back, laughing as though I’m losing my mind at the mention of his brother. When my eyes meet his again, they show their concern for me. “Why am I here, Avery?” I ask. I’ll give him one more chance to tell me the truth. If he does, I’ll tell him everything. He already knows that I know. I yelled it earlier before he cut off the brand. But he didn’t say anything about it. Confirm or deny it. Now it’s time for shit to come out. And after that, he has to let me go. There’s no way around it now. I’m not afraid of this Damon guy because I know no matter who is after me, Victor won’t let them come near me. But as long as I’m here with Avery, I’m dead. And after being around Victor again, I’ve decided I want to live.

“I told you. Preston …”

“Stop lying!” I shout. His eyes narrow on me. “I know, Avery! I know that you took me as your fucking slave because Damon wants me. Or did you forget that already?” His lips part, but I don’t let him answer. “I also know that you set me up at that house in Rio.”

“Did Darrell tell you that?” he snaps.

“Is it true?” I ask, feeling my anger fade. A part of me wants to believe that Victor was lying. That a part of him was just fucking with me. Trying to get me to hate Avery because he seems to be the only one who cares for me at all. Even if it is out of jealousy.

His eyes drill into mine, and his jaw twitches. My stomach drops like a boulder off a cliff. Tears instantly sting my eyes. “You’ve been lying to me?” I choke out. For some reason, knowing that hurts worse than anything Avery could possible do to me.

“Bunny.” He takes a step toward me.

“No!” I say, and my voice cracks on the single word. “Don’t, Avery. Just…don’t.” Then I turn around and run to his bathroom. Shutting the door behind me, I allow myself to cry.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

AVERY

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP?” my brother asks when I enter my study.

“I could ask you the same?” I say, running a hand down my unshaven face. “Did the guys get it done?”

He nods and changes the subject. “Is she okay?” he asks, dropping his eyes to the drink in his hand.

“No.” Then I grab a drink. “She knows about us setting her up at Conway’s.”

His eyes widen. “She what? How?”

I shrug. “He showed you the video. He showed Damon. Who knows who else he showed. Or maybe Darrell told Vaughn. Who the fuck knows.”

He bows his head and lets out a long sigh. I take another drink. She went into my bathroom and started to cry. I wanted to take her into my arms, but I couldn’t. She hates me. And she has every right to. I betrayed her. But I didn’t owe her shit! She should be thanking me. I saved her twice. Once from Damon and then from my psychotic brother.

I take another drink and look at Tristan.

He leans forward and places his elbows on his knees, swallowing nervously. “What is it?” I ask him, knowing something is up. Maybe he’s been down to see Lance, and he gave him some information. I haven’t gone to see him yet.

“I need you to see something.”

“Okay,” I say slowly.

His eyes meet mine. “And I need you to promise me something.”

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