Page 40 of Rampant

Anything?

I tried to imagine what it would be like to wipe away that much pain and betrayal. Poof, gone. No more hurt, no more baggage, just a chance at a clean slate. Hadn’t I tried to do the same, albeit a more permanent method born from desperation in a bathroom in the middle of nowhere?

His fingers tightened around mine, instantly grounding me. “Now you’re the one who needs to say something.”

“I…” What if he’d forgotten for a reason? What if deep down, he didn’t want to know? “I don’t know what to say.”

He stood, pulling me with him, and led me to the chair. Though his hand pressed on my shoulder with a gentleness that surprised me, he made me lower into the seat. Some sick part of myself rejoiced in that. His odd behavior had unsettled me to my toes, his lack of imposing do-as-I-say presence. I wanted to wrap myself in it because it felt natural and familiar, and I needed that from him.

He tilted my chin up, and his mouth formed a hard line. “Whoraped you?” Regardless of whether his psyche wanted to remain in the dark, some part of him still sought the truth, or he wouldn’t push for it.

“It was Zach.” I wasn’t about to repeat the same mistake. Whatever he wanted to know, I’d tell him.

His touch fell from my face, and I missed the contact instantly. “Did I know that? Before I lost my memory?”

“Yes.”

He let out a breath. “This is a lot for me to take in, Alex. I woke up in the hospital thinking I was twenty-one. The fight against Zach in Seattle is the last memory I have.” He clenched his jaw. “What happened the night I was shot?”

Suddenly, it dawned on me. He hadn’t come after me…not because he hadn’t cared but because he’d lost his memory. “Zach showed up. You guys fought, then you made me get into a boat.” I swallowed hard, but the memory of their last fight—the blast of the gun that still ricocheted in my head, even now—burned in my eyes and nose. “You tried to protect me, but he…he…”

“He shot me?”

I nodded, too choked up to speak.

He crouched in front of me, took my right arm in his hands, and ran his fingertips down the material hiding the ugly scars that had scabbed over. All I wanted was to throw myself at him and beg him to hold me, to never let go. I wanted to hide in his embrace forever. What an impossible, dangerous idea. Zach wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted…me.

“Is he in jail?”

I shook my head.

“Why the hell not?”

“Dad’s covering for him again.” I tucked my lip between my teeth. “He said Zach would leave me alone, but he cornered me in a restaurant today.”

Rafe pushed up my sleeve and caressed the wound I’d inflicted on myself. “Why did you come here? Why didn’t you go to the cops?”

“You make me feel safe.” I trembled under the warmth of his touch. “I don’t trust anyone else. Don’t make me leave.”

“I fucking kidnapped you, Alex. I might not remember the details, but I know that much. Jax filled me in, and I saw the prison in the cellar. How can you feel safe around me?”

“Because I’m as twisted as you are.”

“I think that’s the first sensible thing you’ve said.” His thumb rubbed over my scar. “Tell me what happened here.”

I shook my head, my brain refusing to go back to that cabin, even though I’d promised myself I’d tell him anything. “I can’t talk about it. Please don’t make me.”

“Makeyou?” He looked at me in confusion. “You keep using that word.”

“You’ve obviously forgotten the power you have over me.”

“Then tell me. I need to know what happened. All of it.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.” He tangled his fingers with mine. “Because we’re going to the police and they’ll need to hear it.”

I shook my head. “My father will have me committed. He’s got everyone thinking I’m crazy, that I tried to kill myself.”

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