Page 43 of Tainted Truth

Rio.

His thick, inked arms wrap around me, trapping my arms. His body covering mine sends a jolt of need to my clit.

Dammit! They’ve turned me into a sex-crazed woman.

I widen my stance and drop my weight, causing Rio to have to lean forward. Stepping to the side, I wrap my leg around the back of his and push back with my upper half while kicking out my leg. We fall backward to the floor, and I bring my elbow down on his stomach.

The air in Rio’s lungs rushes out, then he rolls on top of me, but before he can trap me underneath his body, I lean forward and lace my fingers together behind his neck. When I throw my weight back down, I thrust my hips upward and send him rolling over my shoulder.

I jump back up to my feet, positioned with my back to the front door. If I don’t choose them, then now is my time to go—this is my opportunity.

But once again, my feet don’t move.

Fucking hell.

I guess this is my answer.

It always was.

Damn Snarky Spencer.

“You never should’ve pushed me to tell you something I wasn’t ready to tell you.”

Zane shakes his head. “You could have told us from the beginning. Did you think we’d think less of you? Think of you as weak?”

I bite my lip.

“You’re the strongest person I know, Angel. To live with that fear, that memory, every day and still choose to make a life and live . . . I’m in awe of you.”

A mewl slips free.

Damn Zane and his beautiful words.

Rio takes a few steps towards me. “Spencer, we’re here. We weren’t there before, when you had to deal with this all on your own, but you’re not alone anymore. We’re here, and we aren’t going anywhere.”

It’s like they can see into my mind and are addressing the list of insecurities and fears that have been swirling around in there for years.

Why do these men have to set my body on fire and melt my heart at the same time?

Zane steps towards me now. “I know what it’s like to be afraid every day; to worry in every situation what might happen. To want to run at every turn but have that thing, or that someone, that holds you back.”

Rio holds a cautioning hand out. “Z . . .”

“Total honesty, right?”

Rio nods and gives Zane an encouraging look.

Shit. I don’t know if I’m ready to hear this. But this isn’t about me, it’s about Zane. Another man who has been strong for me, and he deserves the same in return.

“I grew up in the foster system in New Jersey. My foster parents, Teresa and Michael, never should’ve been approved to foster children. They were evil. They would lock the pantry and fridge—only giving my foster sister, Sarah, and I food when we were ‘good.’” He flexes his hands and continues. “And they hadfriends who liked young children. Their friends would pay them to spend time with Sarah and I.”

My lips tremble and my hand covers my mouth.

“They had one who called me his favorite. He’d come over, and they’d lock me in my room with him. At first, we’d just play games. Then the games became . . . different.”

My head shakes rapidly.

“I know you’ve wondered why I couldn’t handle your hands on my back that night, but you’ve been too shy or kind to ask.”

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