Page 16 of Hiding Secrets (Hidden Desires Trilogy #2)

Elliott

I don't have the mental energy to go over this over and over. I spill everything. It all tumbles out of me quicker than I can draw in a breath.

I tell them how I was supposed to become someone's Chosen wife. How Lianne was already given to her promised husband years ago. I talk about how I felt trapped in that house with the Donovans, the way Mr. Donovan fell ill and passed away before Samuel claimed me as his at the funeral.

It took everything in me to keep talking when I got to Samuel and my cleansing ceremony. I didn't look up once from the coffee mug in my hands. I couldn't risk breaking down from the pity in their eyes.

The naive little girl who hoped for a better life.

‘Woe is me’ is the story of her life, I fear.

I kept my voice as clear as I could as I told them all that I knew. Well…what I thought I knew. I’m not quite sure if I know much about Everton at all, now that I looked back on it.

"I didn't tell him no." My voice cracks as I finish.

"And now Kam is over there with him, and I am here with you both.

" I shake my head, swiping the tears from my cheek with the back of my hands.

"Why did you save me? " I finally asked the question that has been on repeat in my mind since escaping. "Why me?"

I snap my gaze up to them, standing hip to hip on the other side of the island.

Both of their eyes lit like flames, Hunter is gripping his coffee mug so tight I can see his knuckles turning white.

I’m surprised it hasn't shattered in his hands.

Marcus's jaw is ticking as he keeps his stare on me.

My body instantly heats as these men look at me with such aggravation.

"Elliott." Hunter's voice is so low and deep, my arms erupt with goosebumps, "You know what he did to you wasn't your fault, right?" he clenches the mug even tighter now. "Samuel took advantage of you."

"I should have fought mo—"

"Stop. He started taking advantage of you way before then." Marcus speaks up now, "He started his sick game the minute he laid eyes on you at the foster home."

My eyes fill with tears again, and I curse myself internally for being so weak in front of these men.

"He is never touching you again." Hunter adds in. "As for why we saved you, it’s because that’s what Kam wanted. "

Fuck, Elliott. I am so sorry. I didn’t save you.

The way Kameron tried to save me from Samuel. He knew, he saw the monster before his eyes while I was blind to it all until it was all too late.

I am going to save you now, okay?

I go to ask another question, but Hunter's phone rings just as my lips start to form the words.

His eyes shoot to Marcus and then to me, "It's Kam."