Page 83 of Return of the Bad Girl (Rock Canyon, Idaho 4)

“Trust me; they are both cruel, unfeeling bastards. You don’t know—”

“I do know,” Caroline said, avoiding Val’s gaze.

Val paused, studying Caroline’s face, and then she turned white. “Son of a bitch!”

Val headed for the bedroom door, and Caroline knew exactly what she was doing. “No!” Caroline landed on top of Val, pinning her against the door.

“Get off me! I’m going to kill that motherfucker and roast his dick on my barbeque!”

Someone started pounding on the other side of the door, and Caroline stumbled back as it was pushed open.

“Is everything okay?” Justin asked. Gabe stood just over his shoulder.

Val pushed past them, with Caroline hot on her heels.

“Val?” Justin called.

“Caroline?” Gabe echoed.

Val was halfway down the walkway outside when Caroline caught her arm and swung her around. “Will you just stop?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? I can’t believe you didn’t kill him after it happened,” Valerie cried, sucking in air. “When did it happen? Did you tell Dad?”

Caroline saw Justin and Gabe in the doorway and pleaded, “Can we not do this here?”

“Answer me!”

Caroline grabbed her arm hard and snapped, “You listen to me. This is my business, and you will not embarrass me.”

“Why would you be ashamed of anything?” Val asked. “You didn’t do anything.”

“There are reasons why I didn’t tell you or anyone else about this.”

“But did you tell Daddy? Is that why he really made you leave?” Val asked insistently.

“No. I only told him recently.”

“Oh my God,” Val said softly. “You’re the reason he’s digging shit up on Kyle.”

Caroline took a deep, shaky breath. “Please, Val, just stay out of it, okay? I don’t want you involved.”

“But—”

Caroline shook her head. “I promise I will tell you everything, every reason why I never said anything, but now is not the time.”

Val said nothing for several long minutes, and then: “When I told you what he did to my roommate, why didn’t you tell me then?”

Tears stung Caroline’s eyes. “I was afraid you’d blame me for what happened to her. Because I never told.” Caroline looked away from her sister, ashamed by her admission, but when Val wrapped her arms around her, she froze.

“I don’t blame you.” Val’s softly spoken words made Caroline sag against her, sobbing. “Shh, it will be all right.”

“I can take her,” Gabe said, next to them, but Caroline looked away from him. She didn’t want him to see her like this.

Val squeezed her again and shook her head. “She’s my sister.”

“I know,” Gabe said, before adding, “I promise I’ll take care of her.”

Val released Caroline, and Gabe scooped her up in his arms, carrying her toward the car.

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