Page 103 of Twisted Redemption

“Daisy, please. I’ll do anything—”

“You keep saying that, Blaze. And up until a few minutes ago, I believed you. I really fucking did. And if you’d come clean about Alex without me having to ask, I probably still would. But you were never planning on telling me, were you?”

He shakes his head, not meeting my eyes.

And my heart breaks in two.

I RETREAT TO MY room, but not before grabbing my laptop and a few things from the master.

I glance at my phone, at the messages that are still pulled up on the screen. If I hadn’t discovered the text before dinner—if it had never been sent—Blaze and I would still be living in our ignorant, blissful little bubble.

But of course he had to ruin it.

I read the texts one more time.

Unknown Number: I know how to prove it to you.

That one was sent while I was reading in Alex’s living room. At the time, I ignored it, knowing David was trying to bait me into a reply. I had no intention of letting him win. But of course, he did.

Unknown Number: Ask Blaze. I bet he’s too weak to lie to your face.

David sent that text while Blaze and I were having sex. I discovered it before dinner. And, like the utter fool that I am, I played right into David’s hand.

Is he trying to pull me and Blaze apart? Probably. But his intentions don’t change the fact that Blaze lied to me. Again. After everything he’s done.

Why didn’t he come clean? Why?

Brooke: We need to talk.

Unknown Number: I agree. When can you meet me?

Brooke: I’d prefer to do this over the phone.

Unknown Number: I need to see you. I need to know you’re safe.

Brooke: I can handle my own safety.

I call the number, but David doesn’t pick up.

Dammit.

Brooke: Seriously?

Unknown Number: In person. I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but I need to see you. Please, my love.

I know it’s a bad idea. Probably a really, really bad one. But I need answers.

Brooke: Where should we meet? Send the address to my college email.

It’s probably overkill, but just in case Blaze can find my text messages after I delete them, I figure this is best. He doesn’t know what my college email is, and he can’t break into something he doesn’t know exists. I hope.

Why do you keep practically throwing yourself in harm’s way?

I pause. Am I really going to do this? Am I really going to meet with a man who attacked me not even a month ago?

Blaze will be furious when he finds out. But I can’t just take his words for things anymore. I have to figure this out on my own.

My eyes wander to the top shelf of my closet. Should I bring my gun? What happens if I try to use it—if I’ll even need to—and it gets into David’s hands?

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