Page 17 of When We Breathe
“Oh, it’s okay?—”
“No, it wasn’t okay.” I brush my nose over hers, and Gabe kneels in front of us, taking her face in his hands.
“We need to know where that fear comes from so we can make sure to keep you safe from it, Alex,” he says in that tender voice of his that always soothes my raw edges. “Remember, we’re getting to know each other. This isn’t just incredible sex, Shorty.”
“I …” She swallows and frowns down at my chest. “It’s a really long story, and we’re out here to have fun.”
“Oh, we’re going to have fun, Princess.” I kiss her soft cheek and drift my nose down her jawline, then look over at Gabe, who also looks concerned. I know he kissed the fuck out of her to distract her, but he’s as worried about her as I am. “After we have this important conversation.”
Alex sighs. “If you want to take me home after what I’m about to tell you, I totally understand.”
The fuck?
I scowl down at her, but don’t let her go. She licks her lips nervously and reaches for Gabe’s hand. He laces his fingers with hers and gives them a little squeeze.
God, I love him.
“A lot of people claim to have bad childhoods.” She’s clearly choosing her words carefully. “I know that it’s subjective, and each person’s experience is unique to them. But when I tell you that I had a bad childhood, that doesn’t even begin to describe what went on in my house.”
My heart kicks up. My muscles tighten.
I want to burn the fucking world down for her.
“What happened, baby?” Gabe asks her, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
“My mom died when I was a toddler,” she says. “I don’t remember her much. I have some of her things, but no memories of her. My dad killed her.”
My entire body goes very still. Her voice is so calm, so matter-of-fact, but Gabe leans in and rests his forehead on the ball of her shoulder.
“Baby,” he whispers.
“It was covered up, and her death was ruled accidental. My brother, Holden, is the oldest, and he raised us girls. All four of us. He’s the best of us, and I’d fight to the death for him.”
“I’ve met your brother,” Gabe reminds her. “He’s a really great guy.”
“But our father wasnot. He was … evil. Truly evil. He tortured all of us, but he used different means to hurt us. And fuck, did he get off on it. He liked to hold Dani, my twin sister, under water. Waterboarded the shit out of her every chance he got. She is so terrified of the water now. He did other things to her, but the water was the worst of it.” She swallows and shakes her head. “Charlie, the youngest, it was mostly her hair that he used to hurt her. He’d drag her by her hair, and if she was bad, he’d cut it. Shave it. I don’t think she’s been to a hairdresser inyears.She’ll probably let it grow to the ground, which doesn’t seem practical since she’s always running around, planning weddings and stuff.”
“Fuck.” My jaw is clenched so tight, I’m surprised my back molars don’t shatter. “I’m so sorry.”
“Darby’s the oldest sister, and she had it the worst.” Tears fill my girl’s eyes, and one drops down her cheek. I catch it with my thumb. “He … he liked to make her bleed.”
The last word is said on a whisper, and Gabe stands to his full height and paces the boat, clearly agitated, clearly wanting to kill someone.
“What did he do to you, Princess?”
She licks her lips again. Gabe grabs her a bottle ofwater from the cooler, cracks open the lid, and passes it to her. After a few sips, she passes it back with a trembling smile.
“Thanks.” She clears her throat. “Animals. He liked to make me watch him torture animals. Slowly, brutally, making them suffer as I watched.”
I can’t help it when I tighten my arms around her, wanting to keep her safe from the mere memories of what was done to her. I want to kill that son of a bitch.
“Where can I find him?” My voice is hard and full of rage. “Because I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“He’s dead.” She shakes her head and then leans on my shoulder. “A couple of years ago. He got off so easy, you guys. Died in his sleep from a heart attack.”
“Jesus fuck,” Gabe mutters, rubbing his hand over his lips.
“That’s just scratching the surface,” she admits. “There was other stuff, too.”
