Page 105 of Twisted Redemption

With a shaky breath, I keep going. Because I can’t stop now. I’m still too close to home.

Thankfully, I’m able to get my emotions under control. The drive only takes a half hour, even though it feels like an eternity—punctuated by me checking my rearview mirror every minute.

Every time Blaze’s car isn’t there, following me, I feel an odd mix of relief and disappointment.

When I finally pull into the driveway, the garage door opens.

He must be waiting for me.

Inside, I let out a breath of relief when the door closes behind me, shutting out the world—and the possibility of being found. My car door opens, and the scent of smoke and leather hits me hard.

“Welcome home, my love.”

I’m out of the car and in his arms in a flash, burying my face into his chest. Letting out a satisfied sound, he strokes my hair, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“I’ve missed you, Brooke.”

Pulling away, I look up into his eyes. Brown and soft—completely unlike the terrifying hate that was in them the last time I saw him. “I’m sorry, David. I never should’ve listened to Alex. You were right. You were always right, and I never should’ve doubted you.”

He brushes away my tears, a soft smile forming on his lips. “Don’t worry. I forgive you.”

As if his words were the last blow to finally break down my walls, I let out a sob so loud it echoes throughout the garage. I wrap my arms around him, crying into his chest, while he holds me the way I always craved when we were together.

When I’m finally finished, my eyes itchy from tears, I pull away to look at him. I expect him to be looking at me with love, or compassion. Maybe even hurt—I did break his heart, after all.

But instead of any of those things, I find... satisfaction?

“David, I need—”

“Answers. I know, my love. I know.” He pulls me into him, pressing a gentle kiss onto my forehead. “Everything will make sense soon, I promise.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

BROOKE

DAVID LEADS ME through his house. The decor here is nothing like him—all rustic, wood everywhere. It looks like a hunter’s cabin.

Did he own this place while we were together? It’s even further from the city than where I live. It feels like the middle of nowhere.

In the living room, David has me sit on his couch, and then he sits in a chair across from me. After tossing my keys on the coffee table, I smooth my dress, making sure it’s covering the gun strapped to my thigh.

Now that I’m here, I realize I have so many questions that I don’t even know where to start.

All I know is that I need to keep David at ease. I need him to believe that I believe him, even if I come to a different conclusion. Him getting angry is too risky.

Finally, David leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands. “Thank you for coming over, Brooke. I’m sure you’re confused.”

I nod, wringing my hands, hoping I look innocent and naive. I’m pretty sure I pulled it off in the garage, and I need to be convincing because I need to make this quick. Angel is still in the car. I didn’t want to bring her in, just in case I need to make a quick escape.

“Let’s start at the beginning, I guess,” I say, realizing I’m not sure where the hell the beginning of all of this is. “You said in your texts and in your letter that you didn’t cheat on me. But when you broke into my house, you said that you did. With multiple women.”

David gives me a smile that comes off as him pitying me. “Sweetheart, you know how angry I was that night. You were lying to me, and you were being quite disrespectful. What did you expect me to do? Take it lying down?”

I keep my expression as even and un-accusing as I can. David has already proved that he’ll turn to violence if I provoke him enough, so I have to get the proof without ruffling too many of his feathers.

It’s something I learned to do with Francis. The only way I survived him was by doing my best to appease his anger and disappointment, especially when I could sense he was close to breaking out into an angry, hurtful lecture.

“So you told me you cheated on me to punish me?” Sounds familiar.

---