Page 110 of Twisted Redemption

“Think that makes you special to him, doesn’t it?”

I try to scramble back. But he grabs me by the neck, pulling me forward until his face is a mere inch from mine.

“Just remember, you little slut, that I had you first. I’m the very first man who ever had you, not him. You’re mine. And there’s nothing you can do to change that.”

Shaking my head, I whisper, “I wish it had been him.”

It’s true. Blaze may have lied to me, but I much rather would’ve had my first time be with him instead of David. Because Blaze isn’t the one who drugged me. Tied me up. Attacked me—and now keeps hitting me. Because even though Blaze lied to me, I know—I know—he cares about me more than he cares about himself.

I already have the answers I needed. David isn’t telling the truth about anything. Now, I just need time to deal with the hurt of Blaze—of all the boys—lying to me.

It’ll pass. Confessing to murder isn’t really a smart thing to do, no matter how much you trust someone. I know that. But it still stings.

For a second, David’s expression goes lax from shock. He releases me. But then he slaps me so hard a yelp flies from my mouth.

“You’ll regret saying that, my love. Mark my words.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

BLAZE

THE MOMENT I wake up, I know something is wrong.

It’s not just the lingering aftereffects of my fight with Brooke. There’s something just... off in the air.

It doesn’t take long to figure out what it is. A quick check in Brooke’s room, then the rest of the house, confirms it. When I notice Angel’s cage and litter box gone, I try to deny it.

But then I find Brooke’s phone on the counter, along with a note.

I just need a couple days. I’ll be staying at a hotel, and I promise I’ll be careful. Just give me some time to process. Then I’ll come back.

Please don’t try to find me.

- Brooke

“No. Fuck. No.”

Don’t try to find her? Fuck that.

I pull out my phone, trying Alex first, but he hasn’t heard from her. Same with Dominic and Felix.

Shit. Shit.

I don’t let myself process that fact that she left. I can’t let myself drown in the hurt.

It’s not the same, anyway, I tell myself. She’s planning on coming back.

But even as I try to reassure myself, pain settles deep in me, clinging to my body. This is going to be a hard one to shake.

“Focus, Blaze,” I grumble. It doesn’t matter if she thinks she’s safe. I’m not taking the fucking chance that he’ll find her.

So I call Felix again.

“You have an update already?”

“Hotel. She said she’s staying at a hotel. Can you break into her bank records?”

“In my sleep,” he replies. “I’ll call you once I have.”

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