Kenna sat up, wincing. He gritted his teeth, knowing he'd done that to her. In the matter of minutes, he'd taken her virginity.

She inched her way to the side of the bed and sat beside him. Her gaze searched his, a flicker of something new in their depths. "You'll help me find him, right?" she whispered, the words barely audible.

His chest tightened. He stood from the bed, tucking his spent cock back into his jeans and fastening his belt. From the moment he found her and initiated himself into her life, she'd always had the same request.

And every time he answered her, she'd leave, not liking what he said.

"Kenna, your dad is dead." He tucked his pistol back underneath his belt.

Her eyes flashed with anger, lighting her features. "You're lying. He's out there. I just need to find him."

He sat on the bed with her and ran his hands through his hair. "He's been dead for years."

Her face crumpled, and she scrambled off the bed, grabbing her shirt and pulling it back on. "Fuck you." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I hate you."

Before he could calm her, she was gone. The door slammed behind her. He sighed, staring at the orange shag rug beneath his boots. He'd promised to protect her, to be there for her, and now he'd destroyed her.

He and his brother had watched over River and Kenna for the last six years as a favor to their dad, who owed Tom Pruitt

In two months, she'd graduate and no longer be under the state's control. He planned on being there to take her to Gem Haven, where she could live and take the time to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.

"I'll make it up to you, Kenna," he whispered. "I promise."

Chapter One

Kenna

––––––––

Kingsley moved to stand beside her, and Kenna crossed her arms to avoid touching him. They wouldn't be here, waiting to see what crimes her dad committed to put him on death row at the state prison if Kingsley had told her the truth from the beginning.

As quickly as she'd lost her mom and dad when she was twelve years old, she'd just as quickly gained the Stafford men in her life. Kingsley rode in on his motorcycle and declared he'd protect her. Zane had promised the same thing to her younger sister, River.

River had gotten over Zane's part in lying to her for all those years, but Kenna refused to deal with Kingsley.

He had years to tell her the truth. How many times had she sworn her dad was alive somewhere and Kingsley had shot the idea down, telling her he was dead?

Their whole relationship was a lie.

"Turn on the computer," said Zane.

Kingsley went around the desk to the back wall where the computer sat, pushed the button, entered the password, and waited for it to load. The hum of the computer stopped.

"Ready." Kingsley swept his hair back. "What am I doing?"

"Look up the name Burt Shay," said Zane.

Kenna moved toward Kingsley to see the monitor, but she looked at Zane. "Is that my dad's real name?"

Zane nodded.

River joined her as Kingsley scrolled through the results. There were hundreds of pages. She couldn't focus on the words. Kingsley went too fast.

His broad shoulders tensed. She leaned closer.

Murder. Brutal. Massacre.

"Oh. My. God." Her stomach rolled.