Page 31 of Unmasked Legacy

Groaning, I mutter a curse as I take a towel and groggily gather some clothes for the day. I’m not looking forward to borrowing a shower, but I can’t go another day without one. Zane told me there is one in the main bar area, and that if I lock the door, I should be okay. I’m going to risk it.

Walking out of the room, the sun burns my eyes as I shield them, rushing toward the main living portion. Stepping inside, I come to a stop when I see everyone gathered around the large communal television. I’m not certain what they’re watching, so I move a bit closer, noticing Wolfe standing to my left, his arms crossed.

His eyes swing to me and widen slightly, but I’m too focused on the words coming from the screen before me. Someone moves enough for me to see what’s on the screen, and when I do, I flinch. It’s a harsh jerk of my body as the world around me seems to stop spinning.

My father is on the screen, chained up, wearing a green prison jumpsuit, three officers behind him as a woman speaks tohim. She’s a reporter, clearly, and somehow, she has managed to get a prisoner on television. That isn’t what shocks me, though, it’s the fact that I have done everything in my power not to lay eyes on my father since that fateful night.

This is the first time I have seen him since then, and it feels like acid running through my veins.

Gone is the strong, well-built man that I once knew. In his place, is this gaunt, drawn-out person I almost don’t recognize. The dull blue eyes and the dark red hair stand out against his pale skin. His eyes are empty, and as he stares at the reporter, I would almost say it was a stranger before me.

I don’t know that man.

My chest tightens, and I struggle to breathe as I stare, transfixed.

“Mr. Sloane, everyone is talking about a copycat killer, or someone wanting revenge on your daughter, do you have anything to say about that?”

“My daughter is innocent. I don’t know anything else.”

His voice, husky and dull, is so familiar that it burns.

How could he do something so horrible to those women?

I just don’t understand.

I don’t realize that I’ve made a loud sound until Kael turns, his eyes narrowing with concern as my hand flies to my chest. Shaking my head, I turn and shove my way out, unable to breathe. I knew seeing him would shock me, but I didn’t expect it to feel like this.

It’s as if everything I’ve ever known has been thrown right out into the open, a hammer to the face, something I can’t avoid. I’ve lived hidden from him for so long that I don’t know how to process seeing him. I don’t know what to feel. It almost makes everything I know seem unbelievable. I can’t see a monster in that man.

And that’s exactly what I feared.

That the man I grew up loving would shine through, and I wouldn’t be able to see past it.

What is wrong with me?

Falling to my knees, I gasp, desperate for air. I can’t get any, even though I’m frantically trying. My head spins, and my heart races, sweat trickling down my forehead as I fight to keep conscious.

“Up.”

The voice belongs to Wolfe, and I don’t get a chance to fight him or even say a single word before he is pulling me up to my feet. I stumble, not getting near enough oxygen to my brain, and I fear I’m going to faint soon.

“I can’t breathe. Wolfe, I can’t breathe.”

“I know.”

He takes me to the closest thing – his bike.

I don’t know how he gets me on it, but, somehow, I find myself with my legs either side, my bottom on the seat, facing the front. Wolfe gets on, only he isn’t facing the handlebars, he is facing me. We are sitting, face to face, on his bike. Reaching out, he takes my chin in his hand and tips my head back.

I’m gasping now, my entire body trembling.

“Need you to look at me, Mera. Right here.”

He points to his eyes, and I attempt to do as he asks, focusing on his face.

“Breathe. I know it feels like you can’t, but you can. Even if it’s just a little bit, I need you to try, yeah?”

I nod, my entire body trembling.

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