Page 21 of Cruel Savior

"What truth? I hope you don't think anyone lied to him about what happened. I'm not holding out some secret love child on him. She died. I know it's probably my fault, but I don't know what I could have done to stop it." I looked away from him then because I could feel the unshed tears burning at the backs of my eyes and watching his face would only make it worse. I wouldn’t spill another tear but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

A big rough hand reached out and covered mine. "I know, baby girl. But that's not what he knows."

I turned back to him. "What does that mean? What does he know?"

"Talk to him."

I wanted to scream bloody murder right then, release all my pent-up frustration, but the lump in my throat prevented me from responding. Leaving was not my choice. Taken, was more like it.

"And what about Frank? Why did you help him?"

My blood turned to ice at those questions. I could have answered, maybe even garnered some sympathy. But that's not what I wanted people to think of when they looked at me. I'd rather they hate me than pity me.

"That's what I thought." He suddenly grabbed my hand and yanked me in his direction, his hard grip so unrelenting I had no choice to move as he wanted, and no hope of breaking free until he was ready to release me.

I don't know what I thought was going to happen. Maybe he was going to hurt me for causing his club so much trouble. I should have known. God, I was an idiot. I should have known.

He shoved at the sleeve of my shirt until he'd revealed my right forearm.

"And what about these?" He jerked my hand again until we were both staring at the series of scars that bisected my wrists and halfway up my arm. "How did you get these?" It was then I realized his anger wasn't exactly directed at me, but was about me, maybe even on my behalf.

"I had a rough job. Lots of accidents happen," I whispered, jerking my hand again that he finally set free.

“Don’t try to bullshit me. I know better than that. Speak the truth.”

I shook my head, unable to form the words.

“Then tell him—or I will. I'd normally stay out of this kind of business, but his anger with you makes him vulnerable."

"Then quit the job. My father can hire someone else to bolster security. I'll recommend someone."

He shot me a dark look. "There is no one better for this job. You know it, and so does he."

That need to scream in frustration rose sharply again. "Jesus Christ. Then why the hell did you put him on this job? Don't you have others who can babysit me?"

"If I thought all you needed was a babysitter? Sure. But this case is too dangerous for that, and I'm not risking any of my guys more than I have to. You need a partner."

"Axel isnotmy partner." I practically spat back. "He can barely tolerate me."

JD stood from his chair and leaned in. "Then fix it. Stop fucking around. Don't play any more games, and just fucking fix it."

I was ready to tell the old man to shove his demands where the sun didn't shine when he disappeared through the front door, leaving me to stand there staring after him.

"What happened?" Axel came up behind me, and I shrugged. "I heard you arguing with him. What was that about?"

"He wants us to kiss and make up."

"Excuse me?"

I turned and faced him. "He wants us to talk about what happened all those years ago. He even implied that you misunderstood what happened. Is that true?"

A cold, dark look crossed his face. Honestly, I'd thought I'd seen his worst long before now, but I was wrong. The hate filled expression now aimed in my direction threatened me in a way that made every single thing I'd endured to this moment mere child's play. I half expected him to wrap his hands around my neck and squeeze until I could no longer breathe.

JD was right about one thing. My being here with him put him at risk, but in more ways than one. Not only was there a chance he could end up collateral damage in this case, but he was also in danger from himself. He could snap. And when that happened...well, he might not come back from that.

"I'm not doing this with you," he growled, sounding more animal than human.

"I tried to tell him. He seems to think we must be partners to work this case. I disagreed." I could feel the fire I was playing with licking at my skin. And yet, I couldn't stop. I needed that hate from him more than I needed air. It was the only thing I could feel anymore.

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