Page 87 of Our Little Dove

He hasn’t seen the boys chilling in the living room yet. If he has, he doesn’t acknowledge their presence.

God, I hope this wasn’t a terrible idea.

“What the hell, Molly?” Joel’s voice is low, but the frustration is evident. “I told you to meet me alone.” Molly’s eyes well with tears, her shoulders slumping, and I can see the hurt plastered over her face. “Joel, please…”

He turns to me and his gaze is instantly accusatory. “And you… what the fuck are you doing here?” I hold up my hands placatingly. “We need to talk, Joel. About Hush. You’ve been ignoring my calls and texts.”

He scoffs; his frustration palpable. “I’m not doing this with you today, Alex. Give it a rest.”

“Absolutely not! Why are you paying Hush? Do you pay the actors or were you paying to watch?” I ask the question again, verbatim.

When Joel just stares at me with a bored but angry expression, I sigh, feeling my patience run thin. “Answer the fucking question, Joel. You broke my best friend’s heart because ofHush! We all deserve to know what the fuck you’re doing on that site!”

With that, Kieran and Fintan step into view, surprising mydearcousin as he stands shocked between a broken-hearted Molly and me; furious and emotional.

Molly wipes the tears from her face as she takes a seat on the small bench next to the door and watches the situation unfold.

Fintan stalks toward me, his eyes on my cousin and his tone calm but firm. “Joel, she needs answers.” Kieran follows suit, coming to a halt next to Molly. “They both do,” he says before peeling his uneasy gaze from Joel’s back to Molly’s shuddering form. “Are you okay?”

She looks up at him and gives him a curt nod before training her watery gaze on the floor. Joel’s nostrils flare, his hands curling into fists. “I don’t owe you anything and who the fuck are you?” he yells, pointing a finger at Fintan.

Kieran steps in front of my sobbing best friend when Joel’s seething glare fixes on her again.

Kieran’s presence is imposing and protective. Watching him be kind to her warms my heart in ways I don’t think I have felt before.

“You owe Molly an explanation. She’s been dragged into this mess just like Alex has,” Kieran growls.

Joel turns to look at him, his eyes dart between us, his breathing quickening. “What the hell are you talking about? Just stay the hell away from me,” he spits, voice cracking with fury as Kieran takes a step toward him.

“Joel, just answer the question. Please!” I beg, my voice now coming out shaky and hurt.

“Why won’t you let this go? What do you know about Hush, Alex?” he questions.

“I was taken, fucked and filmed; you dick! How else would I know about it?” I cry out, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

It’s not a lie but it’s not the whole truth either. I just want answers.

The first glimpse of guilt I’ve seen flashes over Fintan’s face while Kieran clears his throat, his brows creased as he looks down and back up again.

“What?!” Joel yells, fury burning in his eyes.

“Do. You. Work. For. Them?!” I ask again, punctuating each word as tears roll down my cheeks.

Joel’s shoulders sag slightly, and he takes a deep breath. “You were on Hush? That’s what happened to you on the night I took Molly out? Alex, I swear to God, I will find who did that to you and I will kill them!”

Don’t you dare give me that protective family crap now!

You’ve been ignoring me and keeping all of this from me.

Was he dating Molly as a cover?

Would I have ever found out about this if I didn’t take revenge on the boys?

Fintan chuckles at my side. My eyes widen at the sound, and I feel like punching him in his balls. I know he’s about to light this fuse we won’t be able to put out.

“Well,J-dog, here we are. Now, if you don’t mind, stop changing the subject and answer our little Dove’s questions,” Fintan says as he drapes his arm around my shoulders with a cocky smile.

“Little Dove?” Joel’s eyes scan the three of us. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’re screwing your rapists?” he screams, his anger directed right at me.

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