Page 80 of Pretty Broken Things

A deep breath helps me push through the ball of emotion churning inside of me. “He’s worse than his cousin.” My words come out rough, and quiet.

He glares at me, which I guess is my signal to continue.

“Yes,” I nod, “I know about Kyle.” Unfortunately, I’m very well acquainted with both of those sadistic assholes. “I heard him talking to Jesse about what he was going to do when he got Raven back. I’m glad he’s dead.” Now if Jesse would only join him.

I have to get the rest of this out. Whether he believes me or not is entirely up to him. “Your father is getting restless. He told Jesse to get rid of Raven no matter what. Jesse has made some dangerous friends over the years. Friends who would pay a lot of money for your wife.”

His body tightens like he’s ready to pounce, and his fists clench. “He intends to sell her?”

“There have been some really creepy guys hanging around.” I shudder when I remember just how creepy they are. “They keep talking about the Blackthorne girl. I don’t think he’s stupid enough to really think I can split the two of you up for good, but he’s banking I can help him get Raven alone.”

His eyes narrow, and I watch the suspicion come back. I’m getting really fucking tired of them watching me like I’m the enemy. “Is that what you’re doing right now?”

I’m not sure why, but I break character for a moment and actually tell the truth. “No. I saw her with Ford, Lucien, and Teddy. I know she’s safe with them.”

“And I saw the way you were glaring at her when Ford joined us this morning,” he replies.

See, this is what happens when I’m honest. Was I glaring at her? Probably, but not because of Ford. At least, not just because of him. It’s because all of them, Jen and Amber included, would lay down their lives for her, but they’ll easily believe the worst about me and throw me away without a fight. I’m jealous, and she probably doesn’t deserve it, but not all emotions are rational.

“I saw you last week. That was quite the bruise on your jaw. I’m guessing Ford was rocking some purple and blue on his ribs, am I right?” I might have taken my bitchy persona a bit too far and poked a rather sensitive insecurity he has about losing his wife to Ford. I didn’t think it would result in a fist fight though.

“Jealousy is a bitch, and yeah, so am I most of the time.” Because that’s the role they’ve painted me in. “I don’t have to like her to not want her to be abused and sold like an animal.”

“Did you happen to catch any names?” he asks, and I almost sigh in relief that one of them is finally listening to me.

“Only one guy that Jesse kept calling, Len. He seemed to be the one in charge. Jesse is looking to throw himself a welcome back party. He rules over this place by holding blackmail over the jocks. He thinks he can force his way back on the team. To do that he needs women willing to do anything.” In truth he doesn’t really care about the willing part.

“Prostitutes,” he supplies.

I shake my head. “No, not prostitutes. Have you not noticed the girls that used to hang out with him have been dropping out of school?”

“I saw Poppy last night, she looks like shit.”

I frown, looks like my tampering hasn’t had the desired effect yet. “It’s the drugs. Seems to be his number one move to get laid.”

“Tessa,” he says, and his careful tone has my hackles rising. I do not want to talk about this. “Did Jesse rape you?”

Turning my back to him, I can’t let him see me. I was dying for one of them to see me when I needed help, but now that I’m free I want to keep my secrets to myself. I do not owe them my pain.

I can feel a tear slide down my face. “Don’t let him get Raven alone.”

“I won’t,” he swears, and I sigh in relief. My job is done. “What about you? Are you safe?”

Let’s see, I’m a thousand miles away from the one person I trust to protect me, and I have just handed Sin the plans of a psychopathic rapist. “No, talking to you pretty much guarantees that, but I can’t help him anymore.” Like I was ever actually helping him. “Staying safe doesn’t matter if I destroy my soul in the process.”

I’m sure he thinks I mean continuing to stay with Jesse, but he’d be wrong. I would be safe right now if I’d gone back to Seattle. A sane person would have.

Now I just need to figure a way out of the city to somewhere I can lie low until Benji can get me back home.

“You’re coming with us. We won’t leave you alone in this,” he swears.

Tears stream down my face, and I can’t stop them. He pats me on the arm, and even his awkward attempt to comfort me is endearing. I think maybe in a different life I might have actually been friends with Sin and Raven.

* * *

Sin callsthe gang to rally around and discuss the information I gave him. I sit in this room full of hostile glances mixed with pity.

Lucien interrogates me. “Give me one good reason to trust you,” he demands.

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