RaineonMe Read online

  Brit stumbled when she turned and grabbed for the counter to hold her trembling body up. “I have to call the district attorney’s office. They have to take them down. They have to―”

  “Brit?”

  She closed her mouth and reached up to wipe at the tears that ran down her face. She still couldn’t face him. She didn’t want to see the look in his eyes if he’d seen those tapes. She’d watched them once, had to, and they’d made her sick to her stomach, literally. She’d held a trash basket and lost her breakfast watching the evidence they had against Kyle for his trial.

  “Talk to me, baby.”

  “It’s not what you think,” she whispered. “I swear.”

  “Tell me what happened.”

  She didn’t hear anger in his voice or disgust. He just sounded a little sad. She wiped at more tears, straightened her shoulders, and it took every ounce of courage to turn her head and look over her shoulder to stare at him. She noticed his features were a little pale and his mouth was still set in a grim line. His beautiful dark eyes met hers and they watched each other.

  “When my father died, Kyle knew I’d never go back to him. He’d killed my father with those rumors he’d made up as sure as if he’d reached in my dad’s chest and torn out his heart. I hated him and he knew it.” She fought down a sob. “He grabbed me when I left a grocery store. He had two men with him and they held me while he gave me a shot. I fought but then I felt lightheaded until I passed out.”

  River crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “Okay.”

  “I don’t remember anything really but bits and pieces. He hired a nurse to keep me drugged.” More hot tears slid down her face. “One day the nurse had some family emergency, I think her husband was in a car accident, and she forgot to give me a shot. I could think clear enough to actually escape since the drug has dissipated. Kyle caught me sneaking out the back door of the kitchen. I grabbed a knife and stabbed him. He nearly died. I left him bleeding on the floor, ran out the back door, and I made it to the house next to ours—Kyle’s,” she corrected. “I had them call the police. They came, I told them what had happened, and they believed me since I had needle marks all over me. They launched an investigation while I was in the hospital. They found enough evidence to back what I was saying. The nurse had been lied to. All the doctors’ reports and the prescriptions for the drugs Kyle had her giving me were forged.”

  Rage was an easy emotion to read on River’s face as he stepped closer to her. Brit turned to face him, leaning her hip against the counter, and held out a shaky hand to stop him.

  “I’m―”

  “Let me finish, River.”

  He froze and then nodded. His hands fisted at his sides again but he stayed back. “Okay.”

  “They found tapes. Kyle did things to me in front of his friends. In front of groups of them.” She fought down another sob. “I don’t remember. I am so grateful that I don’t.” She shook her head. “I was too drugged and some of the drugs he used cause memory loss. But, judging by the tapes, he never let anyone else touch me, he was super possessive, but he was sick enough to want to put me on display for them in some twisted attempt to have them envy what he had.”

  “That fucking bastard is dead,” River snarled.

  “I had no idea what he’d done to me,” she whispered. “I saw the tapes and…oh God, River.”

  He took a step toward her. “It’s okay.”

  She frantically shook her head. “No, it’s not. They used those tapes to show how vile he was, how drugged he kept me, and he was sentenced to eight years in prison but they’ve only made him serve four since he’s out now. I testified against him to the judge. The nurse testified against him. The nurse said I’d get out of bed sometimes and try to leave the house. He’d shown her faked doctors’ reports that I was bipolar, had suicidal tendencies, and was aggressively violent without the drugs. He convinced her I’d hurt myself and everyone around me if they didn’t keep me completely docile and make sure I didn’t escape. Everyone at the district attorney’s office swore those tapes would be destroyed. You’re telling me anyone can see them? See what he did to me?”

  “I’m on it,” a deep voice stated from the doorway, startling Brit.

  She jerked her head and watched Drake spin around and walk away. Her gaze drifted back to River.

  “Drake will make sure those videos are removed and someone is going to be in deep shit for those tapes being leaked.”

  Mute, Brit stared at the man who probably thought a lot less of her now. Those tapes were horrific. Kyle had done degrading things to her and she hadn’t even fought back, too out of it to realize what was happening to her. River would never look at her the same way and it shattered her inside.

  “It’s okay,” he whispered. “Let me hold you. You’re shaking. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted to know the truth. If I’d known it was going to upset you this much I wouldn’t have said a word.” He took a step closer.

  “This changes everything between us, doesn’t it? That’s why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want you to know.”

  “Damn it,” he growled. “No. This doesn’t change a damn thing.” He moved forward, closing the distance, and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly against his chest. “It’s all okay, Brit.”

  “It’s not.”

  A hand rubbed her back. “I can handle you yelling at me easier than tears. Damn, Brit, don’t cry. You’re going to shred me to pieces. I can’t take seeing you in this much pain. The only thing that’s changed is, instead of just kicking your ex’s ass, now I want to kill him with my bare hands.”

  Her arms wound around River’s waist, holding tightly to him, and she relaxed against his tall frame. “I was afraid to tell you. I didn’t want your pity or for you to feel disgusted.”

  He sighed. “Women sure get stupid ideas sometimes.”

  She laughed. “Sometimes.”

  His arms tightened. “Shit.”

  “What?” She lifted her head.

  His eyes looked grim. “No wonder you reacted so damn badly when Ryder saw us having sex.”

  Her gaze dropped to his chest. “Yeah. Kyle had a thing for having people watch him.”

  “I’m nothing like him. I don’t want anyone to see you naked but me.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “It’s going to be okay. So that’s what Kyle went to prison for?”

  “Yes. He tried to make it sound as if I were a drug addict and a boozer but the nurse had kept all the paperwork he had given her. They traced it all back to doctors who had never heard of me or Kyle. He’d forged everything, even the prescriptions for the drugs he used to keep me a prisoner. He had a damn good attorney who had a lot of the charges tossed but they were able to prove enough to get prison time. He cut a deal for eight years in order to keep most of the nasty details out of the papers and save his father the embarrassment of a public trial. I agreed to the lesser charges because I didn’t want everyone to see those tapes.”

  “I really hate your ex-husband.” One arm unwound from her waist to reach up and cup her face. “Nothing has changed between us.” He didn’t look away. “I am so sorry that happened but you’re an amazing woman, you’re strong, and we’re not going to allow that bastard to win in any way, shape, or form.”

  Hot tears spilled down her cheeks.

  River wiped them away with his thumb. “Did you hear me about how I can’t stand to see you cry? I want to kiss them away.” His face lowered and he kissed her forehead. “And you know if I put my mouth on you we won’t be eating those sandwiches you just made. I’ll take you to bed to kiss you all over.”

  The smile came easy. “Eat first, then sex. Is that our new motto?”

  He chuckled, brushing his lips over hers, and then straightened up. “It should be. I’m all for it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Brit couldn’t ignore the nervousness she experienced when River closed his bedroom door later that night. Dra