Page 25 of Broken Promises
He leaned over, wrapped his arm around my neck, and kissed my temple before responding. “When I was five, my mom took off and my dad couldn’t cope, so I ended up in foster care. A few years later, my aunt, James’s mother, gave me a place to stay, and James and I became like brothers. When we were twelve, she . . . sold him to the same man Sergey sold Devlin to, and I was sent back into the system.”
I lowered my voice when I said, “I’m so sorry that happened to all of you.”
He shrugged. “He and I are in a better place than a few years ago, but I don’t think any of us will be the same after some of the bullshit we’ve survived.”
I looked up and saw he was staring at the far wall as he spoke. He was with me, but the look in his eyes said his mind was somewhere in the past, probably remembering something difficult. Guilt began to creep up on me as I thought about how good my life had been in comparison to Rhys, James, and my newfound siblings.
Discreetly, I wiped a tear from my cheek. Rhys shifted next to me until he was able to look directly at me. I turned my head and offered a smile that didn’t reach my eyes, and he brushed his thumb down my damp cheek.
“Why are you crying?” he asked softly, and I flipped my hand at him, trying to get him to drop it. “Hannah, baby, please talk to me.”
“It’s just that you all had it so rough and my life was relatively quiet in comparison, yet you’re here, helping me, and I feel like a burden.”
“Sweetheart, you aren’t a burden. You’re a blessing. And I’m glad your childhood was normal,” he said using air quotes. “Being with your granny saved you from the worst of Sergey’s wrath, and for that, I’m thankful.”
“Did . . . did you know Sergey?” I inquired.
He shook his head. “I knew of him and I monitored everything he did, but I never had the displeasure of meeting him. Lucian was my connection to the Syndicate and Sergey, but we never crossed paths.”
“When I meet everyone, do you think they’ll be willing to talk about him? I don’t want to cause any pain, but I’m curious what he was like when he wasn’t being a monster.”
Rhys’s face wrinkled, and I felt like I had my answer. “Let’s see how everything plays out and I’m sure, at some point, they’ll speak about him. Just understand, they grew up with his abusive and manipulative ways, so they see him for the horrible person he was.”
“And it was my sister, Stella, who . . . took care of him?”
“Yeah. She was afraid Sergey was going to use her daughter, Hailey, as a bargaining chip with the Feds, so she found a way to take care of him before he dragged an innocent young woman into his madness.”
I sat back, stunned by his admission. “Wow.”
“I told you there’s a lot to unpack, and when you start factoring in all the unknown connections, secrets, and past enemies, there’s a tremendous amount of information to absorb.”
“And that’s why James wants to speak with me?” I asked.
The sound of a car door closing outside drew our attention, and Rhys stood from the couch and reached into the back of his jeans. He pulled out a handgun, and my eyes grew wide as he slowly approached the door. A knock echoed into the house, and he peeked through the hole before tucking his gun back into his waistband and covering it with his shirt.
Glancing over his shoulder, he offered me a tight smile before he opened the door. I stood, expecting to see his cousin waiting outside, and was shocked to see not only James but the two men who oversaw the raid to save me.
My brothers, Devlin and Lucian.
Chapter 11
Rhys
Ifelt like an asshole for not telling Hannah her brothers were accompanying James, but I was afraid she would panic or have time to overthink the visit. They were coming into town for a meeting with some of Lucian’s connections, hoping to gain some new information, and when I called them to let them know what Hannah had told me, they asked if they could stop by to meet her.
Initially, I hesitated, but when they explained they wanted to bring her into the family, to ensure her safety and maybe be able to ask a few questions, I knew it was going to happen sooner rather than later. I’d rather be by her side, holding her hand and offering reassurance while they spoke, than for the madman and the lunatic to overwhelm her with their driving need to destroy the last of the Lenkov empire.
I stepped to the side, allowing them to walk past me as I saw Hannah standing on the other side of her couch, fidgeting with her hands as she looked on with uncertainty. I walked back to her as James closed the door behind him and locked it. Taking Hannah by the hand, I turned to look at her as I spoke softly.
“They wanted to meet you, officially, and maybe ask you some questions. Please don’t be mad, but I didn’t want you to sit around and make yourself sick with worry. I promise, they’re good people, and when you’ve had enough, tell me and I’ll make them leave. Agreed?”
She swallowed thickly before nodding. I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead before gently squeezing her handand turning back to speak to the three intrusive dickheads standing in the living room, watching with veiled amusement. I knew that was because they’d never seen me give a damn about relationships, but with Hannah, I wanted it all. And I wanted it now.
Shoving the caveman deep into his cave, I spoke to Hannah. “Hannah, this is Devlin, Lucian, and James. Gentlemen, meet Hannah.”
“It’s nice to see you again, Hannah. How have you been?” James asked as Devlin and Lucian stared at her with an expression I didn’t understand.
“I’ve been good. I . . . I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any trouble.”
