Page 106 of Twisted Redemption

“You made me so angry, Brooke. Practically brought it on yourself.”

The need to defend myself flares in my chest, along with the want to punch this man in the face. He’s lying. He has to be. Blaming his hurtful words on me? That’s such a bullshit excuse. But instead of reacting, I hang my head, saying softly, “I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you, Brooke. I’ll always forgive you.” His smile is fake, his eyes dead.

I suppress a shiver. “Thank you, David.” I force my eyes to meet his. “And I’m so sorry for doubting you. I never should’ve trusted Alex.”

With a sigh, David gets up, moving to sit next to me on the couch. He pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead. It takes everything in me not to cringe.

“Your brother and his friends are dangerous men. They’ve been manipulating you for years. All I ever wanted to do was protect you. But then...”

“Then?”

“You ran away from me. You left.” He shakes his head. “I’ve been so worried for your safety.”

“They don’t seem dangerous to me.” I look up at him with what I hope is a wide-eyed, naive expression.

It works.

“Sweetheart, Alex killed your father. And the Graysons helped him cover it up. And I know they killed Tristan, too. They’re coming after me next. And they’re using you to do it.”

“Wait, what?” I blink. Now that I wasn’t expecting.

David runs a hand through my hair. “They’ve manipulated you into trusting them. When you found my hard drive, you went straight to them, didn’t you?”

I nod. But manipulating me into trusting them doesn’t quite make sense. These are my childhood friends we’re talking about. And my brother.

“And how much information have you given them on me? I know they asked.”

I open my mouth to tell David I’ve barely been involved in this war between them, but then I realize that’s not true. A few months ago, Alex asked me a couple questions about David: if he did anything else besides running the bar, if he owned any properties other than his house, random stuff like that.

At the time, I thought the questions were odd. But I brushed it off as Alex being curious. Now I realize he was using me—even if I’m still on his side.

At least, I think I am.

Maybe not.

But I’m definitely not on David’s. His stupid excuses may have fooled me at one time, but not anymore. Now, I’m smarter. Stronger.

I’m just here for answers. Even if they’re fake, they’ll still give me a better idea of David’s angle, and maybe the boys’.

“They asked me a couple questions. But I don’t actually know that much about you.” I bite my lip. It’s true—David has always been secretive.

“I did it to protect myself. And you. I was afraid that if it ever came to this, they’d hurt you. I couldn’t risk you knowing too much.”

Projecting much?

“So what is on the hard drive?”

David shrugs. “Random shit, really. Taxes. Scans of important documents. Records for the bar.”

I look around. “And this place? How come I never knew about this? It doesn’t seem like you had any reason to hide it.”

“It’s my grandfather’s. When he passes, it’ll go to me.”

I frown. “You told me your grandfather is dead.”

“One of them is. My other is in a nursing home in New York.”

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