Page 35 of Scarred Hearts

“I know I told you before, but we’re all really happy to have you back,” she beamed, taking a sip of her orange juice through a straw pressed against her naturally full lips.

Returning the smile from behind my coffee mug, I replied, “I’m happy to be back too. But there was a time when I wasn’t sure if I would ever return. A time when I thought Mr. Kn?—”

She lifted her brows.

“Sorry,” I snickered, “Ian would kick me right back out the door.” I didn’t tell her the harsh reality that I thought he might kill me too.

“Are you kidding?!” she chortled. “My husband went to your old apartment several times to,” she cleared her throat, becoming serious instantly, “um apologize for what happened with… your dad.” She took a bite of a chunk of cantaloupe.

“He came looking for me?”

She nodded, finishing her bite before replying, “He did. And I guess you knew that Luke and Jade also tried to find you, but the new renter eventually told them that you had moved.”

I groaned and covered my face with my hands, feeling guilty and embarrassed. “I’m so sorry,” I mumbled. “I had no idea.”

She waved a hand. “Girl, it’s fine. I’m just happy you didn’t let us all scare you off. When I first started at that club as a dancer, I was just trying to make money because I thought Ty fucked me over.” She almost looked like she was tearing up, but quickly gathered herself. “I was so freaking sad at the time because I had no money for school after not having a worry in the world since birth. And I just wanted my brother in my life and lost my parents.” She scoffed, “Not to mention the breakup I had with the ex. Obviously, that was before I knew who Roman was.”

“Your family’s been through a lot.” My brows knitted. It wasn’t fair that they’d lost so much because of some stupid family war. “Then again, I grew up with that too. Can I ask what happened to—” I trailed off, unsure if it was appropriate to ask.

“Tyler’s face?” she finished for me, nibbling on her bottom lip nervously.

I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee and then setting it down. “I know it’s not my business, but I literally just want to hug him and never let… um, I’m sorry, I just, ugh.”

A soft, wistful smile graced her lips as she delicately blotted the corner of her eyes with the crisp linen napkin. “God, you’re so sweet,” she murmured, a shaky snicker escaping her. She set the napkin down, composed herself, and leaned in closer over the table. Her voice dropped to a hushed tone. “Yeah, long story short, and I don’t know how much I can say in public. The rest, he should tell you.” I mirrored her movement, leaning forward to listen intently. “He was kidnapped by one of the... M fam,” she arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow, and I nodded to show my understanding, “and they were using him as bait for Ian and Chance to destroy me before they… um…”

“Yeah, I get it.” I blew out a puff of air. “That’s so messed up. He deserves better.”

She sat back in her chair, smoothing out the wrinkles in her blue off-the-shoulder floral top. “Yeah, well, he did deserve better, and he still does. I just hope he allows himself to have it.”

“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes before answering. “I don’t want to speak ill of Mila because we did love her, and as far as I knew, she was genuine and sweet, but they weren’t compatible in any way. I was worried for him after I got to know her, but I’m the supportive little sister. My loyalty will always be with Ty.”

I nodded once. “Of course.”

Her voice still trembled as she spoke, her eyes downcast and filled with guilt. “I just wanted him to be happy,” she continued, her fingers nervously tapping on the table. “He seemed happy with her, but something just felt off about them being together. She was from a different world, and even though she loved being around us, she never quite fit in. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was hiding something, and Ian and I hate secrets.” Taking a sip of her coffee, she set it back down next to her orange juice. “In our family and circle of friends, transparency is important. We don’t pry into each other’s business, but when it comes to secrets that could affect us all, we need to know.”

The guilt was eating me alive. I didn’t want to spill my business with Tyler because it was betraying him, but at the same time, if I didn’t get it off my chest, I’d never forgive myself when they found out another way and I’d burned every trust bridge I’d built with them. “I need to tell you something.”

She snickered. “You slept with my brother.”

I almost dropped my fork. “I didn’t mean to keep it a secret, however, I didn’t know if he wanted people to know but clearly, he’s been telling people.”

She guffawed. “Girlll, I knew you and him had hooked up the minute I saw the way you two acted around each other,” she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. “He told me he spent some time out in California too. I just had a feeling. I didn’t say anything because, like you, it wasn’t my place to tell his business, and I didn’t want to make things weird for Mila or you and him if I was wrong.” Another laugh bubbled out of her before she continued.

“Are you mad?” The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint one of the nicest people I’d ever met.

She snorted. “Truth be told? I wanted you close so I could keep an eye on you. After all we went through, I wasn’t taking chances.”

My face melted into disappointment, but I was the exact same way about everyone.

“However,” she sighed with a smile, “I trusted Luke and Jade. And when you came over to my house, that’s when I knew you belonged. You were so eager to help my family. To me, that was all I needed to see.” She took the final bite of her bacon, then wiped her hands on the napkin and placed it back in her lap.

“I’m so sorry if I came into this looking like a home wrecker or anything,” I said sincerely, feeling guilty for any misunderstandings or hurt feelings I may have caused.

She shook her head, her long hair swaying around her face. “No, you didn’t at all. You couldn’t help the past, and it’s not like you seduced him away from her.”

She shifted in her seat, and I followed suit. I could see the question forming in her eyes, the one I had been dreading since we started the conversation.

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