Page 77 of Confusing Hearts

“Looking forward to hanging out and getting some girl time in.”

“Me too. I’ll see you soon.”

I hung up the phone. Tessa was staring at me.

“What was that? I don’t think I know a Maddie.”

“No, you wouldn’t. She’s Chase’s sister-in-law. I’m not going to Cabo this weekend, Tess. I’m going to San Marco to meet the rest of Chase’s family.”

“Oh. Right. So, you’re like serious with him then? You’re really going to go through with the bond?”

I pulled my shirt down and exposed his bond mark on my neck. “We’ve already sealed the deal, Tessa.”

I bit my lip, waiting for her to yell or scream or do something with the news. The last thing I expected was the loud squeal that came out of my sister.

“Oh Em Gee!!! You’re serious? My baby sister is all properly mated and everything? What was it like? Tell me everything.”

I had seen this side of Tessa with friends over the years. Never with me, though.

“Um, what do you want to know?”

“Did it hurt?”

“No, not really. Not like you’d expect. I mean it stung a little, I guess.”

“Oh my gosh, you’re not a virgin anymore, are you?”

I shook my head.

Tessa pouted. “You, Anita, what’s wrong with me? I’m going to be the last of all our sisters to get laid.”

I laughed. Of all the things to worry about, Tessa focused on me losing my virginity before her. It was an odd situation I had never considered.

“Wait, you mean you and Jack?” She shook her head. “Never?”

“Never. Hey, you never did tell me how you and Jack really met.”

I know my whole face must have changed because I saw Tessa’s pupils dilate with concern. I told her about how Jack and his brothers were using the cabin and what went down over the weekend. I explained that his brothers were really bad, but that he was actually a decent guy and set free in the end. She didn’t seem quite as surprised to hear it as I had expected.

“You knew?” I challenged.

“Not everything. Jack did tell me how he lost his virginity. It was disgusting and heartbreaking what his brothers did to him. He was forced to rape a girl, Jenna. It’s, um, it’s why we haven’t, you know, sealed the deal and all that. He still struggles with the guilt of it. He was caught with his brothers and held in captivity for years. He only escaped this past fall and has been trying to rebuild his life. He’s really not a bad guy, Jenna.”

“I know,” I said. “And I, um, I knew about the rape, too.”

“You did?” she asked, shocked.

“Yeah, it sorta came out this weekend. Maddie, the one who just called…”

“Chase’s sister-in-law?”

“Yup, she was, uh, she was the victim he raped, Tess.”

“What? Oh my gosh, I think I’m going to puke,” she said dramatically. “You’ve met her? He told me she was dead.”

“I think he truly believed that. They had left her for dead, but obviously, she’s not. He looked like he was seeing a ghost when she walked in and confronted him. I felt terrible for both of them. And I really don’t think he’s a bad guy, Tess. He really cares about you, you know? I was bringing Anita over to see the house, and something just felt off. One of his brothers came out of the house and I was terrified of him. Jack came out too, and when he saw me, he thought it was you. He told me to get away and not come back, that he’d call as soon as he got rid of them. He tried to save me . . . or you rather.”

“He did? Wait, you told Anita before me?” She pouted.

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