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The sound of static fills my ears. My mind jumps to the worst plausible scenario: Jax arrested. The floor gives way, and I stumble. He catches me and pulls me between his legs. My knees hit the floor, and I fall into him.
This has to be a mistake. Maybe I’m misunderstanding. “What?” The breathless word is barely audible.
“He’s an undercover cop.” He brushes my hair from my forehead. “He’s not your friend. He’s not with Charlie.”
A sudden, sharp pain pierces my heart. “No.” I shake my head. “He wouldn’t… It can’t be.”
Jax holds my face in his trembling hands and stares deep into my eyes. “He lied to get close to you, baby.”
Tears stream down my cheeks. “Why? He… The police are after you?”
“I’m not sure, maybe.” He shrugs. “Ricky let Kyle into the penthouse. Didn’t even question it. They could be associated with him or after information on him.”
I clutch my tightening chest. “I don’t understand,” I whisper, my throat constricting. “What information?”
His thumbs glide over my cheekbones, wiping the tears away. “I’d hoped to keep it from you, remember? This is not…” His voice breaks. “This is difficult for me.”
I grip his wrists. “Please, tell me.”
Closing his eyes, he drops his forehead to mine. “Kyle has been involved in some messed-up shit for as long as I can remember.” He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “He’s a part of this depraved society that hosts lavish sex parties for politicians and other assholes, with girls…and guys,” he adds with a shuddering exhale. “They lure them in with drugs and celebrities. Some are sicker than others. For some, it’s a lifestyle carried on outside the party.”
I try to wrap my brain around it, but I can’t, so I ask the obvious. “You’ve been there?”
He nods, and my world falls apart all over again. Of course he has. Although naïve, I’ve been to one of these parties. Emily brought me to prove a point. He was there, and he explained his reaction from that night. He said Kyle’s men were dangerous.
But to be involved…in something worse than the pictures I’ve seen?
Fear clenches my heart and crushes the air from my lungs. “Why?” I sob.
“I didn’t have a choice. I was too young to understand. When I could, I fought. When I was forced to, I got fucking wasted. It’s not like I wanted to. I never took part…” He trails off, unspoken words hanging in the air.
Realization hits yet again, a previous argument echoing in my mind.
Stop saying that… You wouldn’t if you knew what I’ve been through… Sex is warped inside my head…except with you.
36
ETHAN
“Aurora, stop! Look at me.”
In Jackson’s arms, she sobs inconsolably, gasping for air. He whispers reassuring words, but she’s already in a state of panic—her breaths rapid and shallow, her complexion pale, her lips tinged purple.
I sit beside him, cup her tear-streaked face, and force her gaze to mine. “This isn’t over. I have lawyers and connections. We’ll fight whatever comes next. You hear me?”
Neither of them noticed I was leaning against the doorjamb, listening to the tail end of their conversation. When Aurora broke, so did my heart.
I realize she’s focused on more than him possibly going to jail. She’s thinking of him at these parties and devastated by all he’s endured.
But I hate to see her like this; she was doing so well. It tears at my insides and makes me prickly. I prefer my mischievous, smart-mouthed girl.
“Baby, please,” I soften my tone. “I promise I can protect him. I can protect you both.”
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. Unable to get past her fear and anxiety, she starts to hyperventilate.
“Aurora,” a rough, nasally voice barks.
Her attention snaps to Ricky, who stands in the doorway, one eye nearly shut, swelling and bruising along his cheekbone. The abrasion on his chin is raw, his lip split, and angry red marks crisscross his throat.