Page 28 of Broken Promises

“What the fuck happened last night?” I demanded, stroking a hand over Raven’s hair and taking advantage when she leaned into me. My arm slid around her, and she buried her face in my chest, the fight leaving her.

My eyes remained on Ander, waiting for him to reply, and my heart dropped when he did.

“I walked in on Michael and Devon trying to rape her at a party last night. They’d shredded her clothes, wanting her to walk out naked after the assault.”

Raven’s arms slid around me for comfort, and I held her a little tighter. I was glad that even though she was pissed with me, she found safety near me still.

“Did they?—”

“No,” she mumbled, peering up at me. “I thought Michael liked me. He was nice all night, and I thought it was just going to be me and him. I went into that room because I wanted to, he didn’t drag me. Then Devon appeared and?—”

“You were going to sleep with Michael?” I asked with confusion, continuing when she went to pull away. “I’m not judging. He’s a sleazy Crestford asshole that could con a nun into bed.”

“I just needed it,” she forced out, leaning back into me. “I need to prove to myself I can.”

My heart hurt for her, and I let out a sigh. “Look at me.” She lifted her head, uncertainty in her eyes. She didn’t trust me, and I couldn’t blame her. “I get it. Do you want to stay at the compound? I’ll leave so you’re comfortable.”

“No. I’m fine. You need to stay there.”

Ander moved around to our side and leaned against his car, crossing his arms. “Raven’s safe at mine. I’ll make sure of it.”

“How the fuck can you keep her safe when this is your fault to begin with? She was run down by mafia goons, you know? She lost a fucking baby because of you.”

That news must have been new to him because his face fell.

“What?”

“She was pregnant. We found out at the hospital after the damage had been done.”

He studied her, his voice soft. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

She shrugged like it was no big deal, but pain filled her eyes. “Sorry doesn’t fix it.”

I went to follow her when she walked off, but Ander put an arm out to stop me.

“Give her a second.” I punched him, not that he seemed surprised. “I deserved that.”

“Yes, you did,” I growled. “Where the fuck have you been?”

“I thought?—”

“You thought you could run and leave me to take the fall for whatever bullshit you got involved with?” I seethed, and he shook his head.

“No, Zav. I left because I was trying to keep you guys safe. I had no idea Stefano even knew about you, or I never would’ve left.”

“You didn’t even fucking call.”

“I couldn’t! I knew he’d track down my contacts! I thought I’d steered him away from the Heights, but apparently not. When I heard about you and Raven being run down, I started making my way back to you. He thinks you know more than you do. To him, you’re a loose end. I need to work some kind of angle without him knowing I’m here so we can have the upper hand. Trust me?”

“Why the hell would I trust you? You were working for the mafia and didn’t even tell me!”

“You know me.”

“I thought I did,” I scoffed, starting to walk off, but he grabbed my wrist and tugged me back.

“You know me,” he repeated, grabbing my face in both hands. “Trust me. Please. I’ll keep Raven safe, I just need you to believe me.”

“Give me one reason to believe that you were ever coming back,” I said as I swatted his hands away. “Just one.”

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