Page 69 of Kage

Maybe it was time to go through his things and unpack. Staying here hadn’t been the first thing on my mind, but I couldn’t sell the property. Or at least that’s what I’d initially thought. Now I wasn’t certain of anything. Selling wasn’t what my uncle had wanted. He’d left me a short note, telling me that it was time for me to live my life.

As if that’s what I hadn’t been doing.

I glanced from one picture to another in the room. They were a timeline. Every graduation. High school. College. Boot camp. Becoming a Navy SEAL. They were all photographs either given or that he’d somehow managed to obtain himself. Of me.

His nephew.

There were no others I’d found. He’d been married, but if I remembered correctly, they’d never had children. They’d divorced and I couldn’t even remember when. Or why. I leaned back in the seat, now staring up at the ceiling. My grip on the frame was white knuckled. If I wasn’t careful, I’d crack the glass.

What the fuck had happened between Henry and my father? Why hadn’t I made contact when I’d become an adult?

There were so many questions, none of which my father would provide answers to.

It was obvious my uncle had wanted me here to stay. That’s what I was going to do.

A strangled laugh formed in my throat. He’d wanted a family. That’s the last thing I’d really ever wanted.

Except I’d learned during my years with the SEALs that family didn’t need to be by blood, that it could be a found family. Nurtured. Adored. Protected.

Destroyed.

By a single violent act.

I took another swig of my drink and closed my eyes.

And for the last time, I allowed myself to remember.

Even though forgetting wasn’t going to happen, maybe my uncle was right and it was time to live my life.

Whatever the fuck that meant.

CHAPTER 19

Juliette

“Come here, you little bitch. You’re nothing but a fucking whore. It’s time to take you to your master.”

His tone was harsh as he stood over me.

“Fuck you!” I yelled, kicking him in the groin.

The backhand was swift, smashing me in the cheek. The pain was blinding.

The bastard grabbed the back of my hair, yanking me onto my knees as he unzipped his pants, pulling out his cock. “You really are nothing but a whore. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. Why don’t we start right now? Suck it, bitch.”

“Oh…” My eyes flew open and I took gasping breaths.

Where was I?

What was happening?

Panic tore through me and I jerked to a sitting position, scrambling to free myself. The bastard was here. He was here!

Woof.

What…

I folded my arms across my chest, slowly lowering my head. “Tank,” I murmured. “Oh, buddy. You’re here.” As soon as I mentioned his name, he jumped up from his position, clobbering me with his huge body.

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