Page 36 of Corrupted Union

I could only imagine the guilt he felt. He’d introduced me to the Wellington family and encouraged me to date Stetson. Dad wasn’t afraid to take responsibility for his actions—that’s what made him so popular among the people—but I hoped he didn’t try to shoulder too much of the blame.

He forced a withering smile. “Keir seems to have a plan, though he hasn’t shared all the details with me.”

“What did he tell you?”

His brow furrowed as his gaze dropped. “He said he wanted to tell you himself. That it would be better coming from him.”

“Should I be worried?” My attempt at levity fell short.

Dad tucked my hair behind my ear. “You tell me, kiddo. How do you feel about Keir Byrne?”

The question felt odd. “What do you mean?” Why was he asking about Keir?

“Do you think he’s a decent enough man? I assume you went to him for help because you trusted him on some level.”

“Well, yeah. It’s hard to explain, but we had this strange sort of connection from the moment we met. I didn’t tell you at the time, but Keir was already in the house that day when you came home. He’d broken in.”

Dad gaped at me. “And you didn’t say anything?”

“I know, and that’s exactly my point. I can’t explain it, but I didn’t want him to get in trouble, and I know he’ll do what he can to protect me.” I looked at him pleadingly. “It’s not like it’s forever, though. In a few months, it’ll all be a distant memory.” I wasn’t sure I believed myself, but I hoped my reassurance eased Dad’s conscience.

“You’re right.” He nodded, then stilled. “Have you talked to Stetson about any of this?”

“No. I can’t imagine he has any idea what his dad is doing, and I’m not sure it’s my place to tell him.”

“Then you two haven’t broken up?”

Was that hope in his voice? A wave of weariness made my entire body feel as though it had been cast in lead.

“No, we haven’t.”

Dad’s brows met in a hopeful peak on his forehead. “Well, then. He’s sure to understand when the truth comes out. You’ve already faced so much, sweet girl; I’d hate for you to lose him, too.”

My answering smile was sickly at best. “I’m sure everything will work out for the best.” My voice betrayed me, growing weak and wobbly.

He hugged me close again, then pulled back. “I’d say we could both use a distraction. How does a movie sound?”

“What about work?” Dad was practically a workaholic and had been almost as long as I could remember.

“Work will be there tomorrow, trust me.” He winked just like he used to do when I was little. I clung to the tiny reminder of happier times.

“Sounds like a plan.” I wasn’t sure how we’d handle explaining all this to Mom, but I’d let him worry about that. I could only take on so much, and I was barreling toward that limit at lightning speed.

* * *

I knewDad had told Mom the next day when she could hardly make eye contact. She wasn’t the best at handling adversity. Mom was generous and loving and wonderful in so many ways, but when things got rough, she didn’t cope well.

I tried extra hard over the next two days to smile and be reassuring. She tried extra hard not to be around. In some ways, her escapism was a blessing. I didn’t have the mental energy to be strong for both of us.

Keir brought over a ton of my clothes and other necessities from my apartment on the morning of the third day. The thought of how much school I was missing made me nauseous. I’d contacted my professors and told them I was sick, but that excuse would only get me so far. I had no idea how long Keir planned to keep me sequestered. I prayed his packing wasn’t an indication of the length of my sojourn at my parents’ house because that would mean I might be there for months. Three large suitcases. Denial kept me from fully unpacking any of them.

When I finally decided to at least glance through them and see what all he’d brought, things only got more awkward. Laying on the very top of the first bag I opened were all three of my vibrators. I stared, eyes round and stomach bottoming out.

Keir Byrne had seen my vibrators and wanted me to know it. What did it mean? What had he thought when he first saw them?

For the hundredth time, memories of him fucking me senseless flooded my mind. I couldn’t believe I’d let that happen or how desperately I craved more.

I clutched my favorite butterfly toy in my hand as a tingling anticipation rippled beneath my skin. Sex was the very last thing I should have been thinking about. My freaking life was in danger!

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