Page 120 of Twisted Redemption

Inside, we clear the whole house—empty, except for Angel dozing on the couch and Brooke’s car in the garage. There’s a bedroom on the first floor with a severed rope tied to it that sends a spike of fury through me.

Whatever David did to Brooke, he’s going to fucking pay.

But my anger is short-lived, doused by the realization that I still have no clue where Brooke is. This was our last lead—or only lead—and she’s not here.

When my phone goes off, it takes a couple seconds for the noise to reach my brain and pull it out of my pocket.

Ryan: Found your everything. She made it to her friend’s wedding.

“The wedding.”

Of course—the wedding. How could I be so stupid? Brooke wouldn’t miss it for the world. Did she somehow get away from David and make it there?

Blaze: Text me the address. On my way. And don’t let her out of your sight.

“I have to go.” I turn to Felix. “We found Brooke.”

He nods. “We’ll stay, get her cat and her car. Search the place while we’re at it.”

Our eyes meet. We didn’t find anything incriminating at David’s house, but it’s possible that it’s all here. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

And with that, I’m running out of the house and toward my car, plugging in the address that Ryan sent me.

I don’t want to waste one more second.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

BROOKE

THANKFULLY, DAVID DOESN’T tie me up again. He lets me go back to bed, but not before pointing out a camera in my room that I missed.

It’s a silent warning: try to leave, and I’ll know within seconds.

I’m barely able to sleep. In the morning, he lets me out of the room and thankfully feeds me breakfast. Then he disappears into his office, claiming he has some paperwork to deal with for the bar.

I spend the morning in the living room, staring out the window, thinking of all the things I want to say to Blaze when I see him again. If I see him again.

I may be terrified, but I don’t know if I’m ready to put all of this behind us. Maybe I’m being petty. But I can’t help how I feel, and it’s not like I’ve been able to process the truth. I’ve had space from Blaze, sure, but I’ve spent it trying to make sure David doesn’t hurt me.

As the day drags on, I get ready for the wedding. I packed my makeup and bridesmaid dress since I wasn’t planning on going home before the wedding, which I guess is a blessing.

I have to put on my makeup extra thick to cover the bruises forming from where David hit me. I’d try to do the same thing to my wrists—I struggled in the ropes so much yesterday that they’ve bruised, too—but I know I’ll just get makeup everywhere if I do.

When I’m ready, I meet David in the living room. He’s wearing a suit that would’ve had me swooning over him a couple months ago. Now, I couldn’t care less.

We ride to the venue in an eerie, unnerving silence. Does he suspect anything? If so, he doesn’t say. When he pulls into the parking lot, he turns to me.

“Can I trust you?”

I nod, stroking his cheek, trying to make it look and feel authentic. “Of course. I understand why you did what you did, David. I’m grateful for it. My only regret is that I ever doubted you.”

He sighs. Nods. “Let’s get inside.”

Imani has always loved flowers, which is probably why she decided to get married in a botanical garden. This one is particularly expensive, but DeAndre assured her money wouldn’t be an issue.

We toured the place months ago, so I already know where the bridal suite is. “I’ll see you soon, David.” I squeeze his hand. “Just follow the signs for the ceremony.” I point to one, hand painted by a local artist.

Before letting me go, David pulls me until I’m pressed to his front. His arms cage me to him. “I want to trust you. I really do. But...”

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