Page 54 of Twisted Redemption

“It was!”

My dad died around six months ago, on our annual family trip to Florida with the Graysons. And I know for a fact that Alex was at a bar with Dom, Blaze, and Felix when my dad crashed his boat.

I shiver. I’d almost gone out on the boat that day.

“Alex never lies to me. I know he didn’t kill my dad.”

“Do the police have any proof?” Imani says.

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything. It’s killing me.”

“That’s awful,” Liling says. She runs a hand through her black hair. “I couldn’t even imagine.”

“And what’s Blaze done now?” Imani’s expression darkens as she mentions him. They know most of the ending of our friendship, right down to his lack of forgiveness when I begged him for it.

Maybe you don’t deserve it.

“He just... I don’t know. When we woke up yesterday, he was so sweet, but now—”

“Wait.” Imani holds up a hand. She’s been laying down on her bed, but now, she scrambles until she’s sitting up. “You said that like you two slept together.”

Oh, shit.

So much has happened over the past couple days, and my mind has been an absolute wreck. I forgot to tell them that David attacked me, and how Blaze saved me.

“We... did. But we just slept! I promise!” I run a hand through my hair and explain the events of Friday night up until Blaze’s comment about how I lost my right to care about him. It’s a little difficult considering I can’t explain the real reason David attacked me, but I make do.

Imani and Liling listen intently, their expressions getting more and more worried as I go on.

“Babe, you need to get a restraining order on David,” Liling says. “I know it sucks, but he literally attacked you. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now, but—”

“Can you go back home please?” Imani says.

I stop. About fifteen minutes ago, I entered the woods by the road. There’s a pretty creek in here, and a small pathway that the developers of the area keep up for the residents. “What?”

“Call me paranoid. I just... I get why Blaze is being so protective of you. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an asshole. But David literally attacked you, hon. Maybe you shouldn’t go places alone right now.”

I frown.

“Imani kinda has a point,” Liling chimes in. “Just to be safe.”

“Hell, just so I don’t worry. You’re going to give me a heart attack,” Imani mutters.

Just then, my phone lights up with an incoming call.

“Oh, fuck,” I groan. “Blaze woke up. Can you guys hang on for a minute?”

They both nod, so I switch calls.

“Where the fuck are you?” Blaze snaps the second I pick up.

“I just went out on a walk. And I’ve been on the phone with Imani and Lil the entire time. I’m fine.”

“Where. are. you.”

“In the woods down the road. I’ll come back. Jesus. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

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