Page 34 of Vengeful Valentine

“Get them set up in the living room, we want to give them a show after all. I’ll go check on Kristoff, if my calculations are correct, he should be waking up now.” Ashmine hummed from nearby, Hawk was able to see her feet as she stepped over him towards the door.

He couldn’t move. Couldn’t stop her.

Couldn’t ask her questions.

The video was burned into his eyes. Hawk thought William had been a saving grace. That the funds from him were what would keep their family together.

To learn what Ace and Ashmine were forced to do…

To learnwhyAshmine had lost her virginity to Ace.

He had been so angry when he heard them talking about it. He had run to Silas right away. To only then find out she was sleeping with Silas, too?

And then less than a week later she was testifying against Ace?

Hawk hadn’t wanted to hear her explanation. Hadn’t wanted to listen.

“Oh brothers, it didn’t have to come to this. But you two were always so hardheaded.” Ace chuckled acerbically a few minutes later.

Hawk’s vision shifted as his body was moved. Ace dragged him unceremoniously out of the room before tossing him into a chair.

And that is where Hawk remained. His line of sight directly on the operation table.

It was closer to the ground now, easier to see that Kristoff was lying strapped to it.

A naked Kristoff.

Hawk turned his attention anywhere but on the man.

Hawk supposed after Kristoff, he might be next. Maybe when she was done with what she had planned, she would direct her rage to Hawk and Silas.

They would deserve it.

Hawk was so caught up in being abandoned—left alone—that he ran at the first sign of conflict.

I’m the problem.

The thought was a startling realization. Hawk had never allowed himself to be happy. He was always perpetually waiting for the worst to happen. Living life with bated breath and crippling, paralyzing anxiety.

Similar to how he felt now.

Except, thisparalysishadn’t been caused by him.

He flickered his eyes towards the movement in his periphery.

Ace was lugging Silas onto the chair placed next to him.

Apparently,thiswould be the show.

Ashmine slapped the man—Kristoff—on the operation table.

“Wake up!” she screamed into his face. “You fucking rapist, come back now! It’s time for us to have some fun.”

Hawk couldn’t do much other than watch as the sight unfolded before him. His hearing caused her voice to bubble uncomfortably around his skull before her words landed.

Rapist?

Ashmine walked to the kitchen, filling up a cup of water before throwing it directly onto Kristoff’s face.

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