Page 101 of Endgame

“That’s so horrible,” I choked out. “Molly mentioned the DA didn’t take it further because he was close in age to Amelia.”

My words sparked outrage in Rourke and he turned to glare at me.

“Are you saying it’s not abuse because he was fifteen?” His words were menacing and cold. “Do you think his age is an excuse to take advantage of someone?”

“No, not at all,” I squeezed out, as I pulled into our driveway. “A predator is a predator.” It didn’t matter if they came in the shape of a teenage boy or an alcoholic, middle aged creep dating your mother.

“I’ll never forgive my father for it,” Rourke muttered after a pause. “Fucking never.”

His dad? I pulled into my usual spot and killed the engine. “Why your dad?”

“He brought that bastard into our lives,” Rourke said grimly, staring up at the house. “All our lives, he’s been traipsing women and their kids in and out of our fucking house. Never gave two shits about how it made us feel. My baby sister is the one who ended up paying for his mistakes.”

“I’m sure your father never thought that would happen to your sister,” I heard myself say in defense. I wasn’t a fan of Gabe, but I didn’t believe the blame for Amelia’s abuse lay entirely at his door either, just like I didn’t believe the blame for my own personal hell solely belonged to my mom.

“I’m sure he never thought about her, period,” Rourke countered. “Especially since he was so quick to bring another fucking woman and her spawn through our doors.”

Meaning my mom and me.

“I’m not listening to this again.” Stiffening, I unfastened my seatbelt and reached for the door handle. “I get why you’re upset, Rourke. Really, I do. But do not compare me to that creep.”

“I wasn’t,” he muttered. “Hell, I didn’t mean to.”

“Whatever, Rourke.” I didn’t care. I was tired and fighting with Rourke was something I didn’t have the energy for.

“Six, wait!”

I didn’t wait.

Climbing out, I stalked away, leaving him sitting in the passenger seat of my car to deal with the issues that were obviously crippling him.

Rourke

MY SISTER WAS ABUSED.

It wasn’t an easy thing for me to speak about, partially because I felt so guilt ridden. It happened under my nose. Over and fucking over again.

I wasn’t sure why I told Six all of that tonight. I only knew that I needed to. She had something in her, something I was drawn to, and I wanted her toknowme.

I wanted her to understand why I was the way I was.

She needed to know that I wasn’t inherently born a bastard; it was something I had turned into over the years.

Somewhere deep down inside, I knew the fascination I developed over Six was about a hell of lot more than sex, but I wasn’t ready to acknowledge it.

It scared the hell out of me, and if I had stronger willpower, I would have tried stay away from her. But whatever self-control I had was shot to shit every time I locked eyes on that girl.

My gaze followed Six as she hurried around the side of our house in the direction of the shoreline.

“Wait!” I demanded, springing to life. Throwing my car door open, I jerked out and stalked after her. “Wait a minute, will you?”

She didn’t wait. In fact, she broke into a small run, stumbling, obviously trying to get as far away from me as possible.

“I didn’t meanyou,” I shouted, closing in on her, taking the steps two at a time.

“Yes, you did,” she shot back angrily. When she reached the gated entrance that separated our property from the beach, she swung the tall gate open. “You always meanme, Rourke. Always.”

“Listen!” Reaching out, I managed to snag her arm and pull her back to me. “Just listen to me for a second,” I repeated, breathing hard and fast, eyes locked on hers. She was fucking beautiful. Goddamn. “I don’t think of you like that anymore,” I told her, and surprisingly, I meant it. I was well aware she wasn’t the girl I had once thought her to be.

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