Page 105 of Corrupt Me

Her glistening eyes bore into mine. “What are you protecting me from exactly? It must be bad.”

Right then, Bailey enters, and my twin asks, “Does she know?”

I jerk my chin in a nod, and Mia sighs at Bailey, “You wouldn’t tell me, would you?”

Bailey sweeps her gaze from her to me. She won’t say anything, and the shaking of her head confirms it.

“I’m sorry, Mia. It’s Hunter’s story to tell. He needs that, and I think it would do you both good.”

Blake comes downstairs, and reading the room, he goes straight to Mia, wrapping her in his arms. “What’s wrong, Silver?”

“I am a terrible sister. That’s what I am,” she says and runs up the stairs. My chest constricts seeing her so upset.

Blake cocks his head at me, glaring. “I don’t fucking care what you do, but you fix this, got it?” and then he takes after her.

When Bailey and I are alone, I breathe a deep puff of air. “You saw how she is about not knowing the truth…”

“But she needs to know. Not telling her still gives that monster power.”

There’s a heavy tension around the table once everyone arrives for breakfast.

“So, who’s going to start?” Kaden says, training his eyes on each of us.

Nothing gets past this guy. He will make a good patriarch, at least as long as he has Celine. To maintain harmony in the Family, I need to protect his queen, which I would do anyway. But it’s more than us individually; it’s us as an entity. If there’s friction and secrets in the group, that will set a precedent. The past has shown how dangerous that was. I decide to come clean with mine, but the first to know will be my sister.

“Don’t look at me. I am all for not keeping secrets that could affect our group dynamic,” Abi says, looking my way.

“Abigail knows all my secrets. If there’s one that she thinks needs sharing with the group, so be it,” Dane offers, his voice firm.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” Blake mutters, glancing away.

Mia looks down at her hands, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m not the one keeping a secret.”

“I need to talk to Mia. Alone,” I say, my heart pounding.

Hurt glistens in Celine’s eyes before she quickly masks it. “You’ll be the next to know,” I tell her, adding solemnly, “Lead by example, right? Well, I’ll tell you all tonight.”

“I’m proud of you,” Bailey whispers, squeezing my thigh. I place my palm on hers, gathering strength from her touch.

When she stands up, she kisses me and leaves the house with the others. Celine stays behind but moves to the couch in the living room.

Alone with my sister, I ready myself to tell her what happened to me. I don’t embellish or soften it—I just let the words out in one long breath. “Alice sexually abused me.”

“I’m going to fucking kill her and make it hurt.” Mia screams a string of butchered sounds and jumps into my arms, sobbing her eyes out.

The commotion must have gotten Celine’s attention because she bolts inside.

“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” my twin hiccups, face blotched from crying, while I hold her. “I can’t believe you went through that alone, you stubborn idiot.”

“What is happening here? Please, just tell me,” Celine asks in a shaky voice, placing her hand on my arm.

My throat clamps. With potent emotions lodged there, it’s hard to swallow. “Alice raped me for years.” Each time I say it, it gets easier.

“She fucking did what?” she screeches, fury clinging to each syllable.

Celine drops in the other chair as if her legs can’t hold her any longer, and they both hug me. Surrounded by my twin and best friend’s love and support, there’s nothing but acceptance. I am loved, and what happened to me will never define me.

“I’m okay. Now.”

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