The Break (Unbroken Raine Falling 2)

“I don’t understand, Raine. Why did you hide the truth? I was listening. You had to know I wouldn’t punish you for being honest.” Confusion furrowed his brow. “If I’d known the truth, we might not be here having this bloody inquisition. Tell me why you kept it in.”

His words drowned her in guilt. She seemed to be a never-ending pool of it today, as they pointed out all the ways she’d screwed up and she had to take responsibility. But she couldn’t let the shame she’d dragged around like an anvil for years take her under for good.

She could give Liam excuses—she had plenty—things like she hadn’t known him that well at the time or she hadn’t realized that he’d been so serious about helping her. But they were lame and pointless and would only get in the way.

Instead, Raine fought for a ragged breath and returned his stare as regret poured from her. “I was afraid to be that vulnerable to you. My father took my power from me. Anything he knew I liked or wanted, he made sure I never got. Then he would crawl into my head and tell me all the ways I wasn’t good enough for those things. He manipulated me and he crushed me.” Tears fell, and she had to force herself to whisper, “I wasn’t strong enough to stop him.”

God, she was so afraid to hear either of them agree with that.

“Stop. I need a minute. I can’t…” She turned her head away. “You know my most hurtful secret and…”

“Stay with us, precious. Are you worried you’re still not strong enough?” Hammer asked, nearly pressing his face to hers. “Or did beating the shit out of him change that?”

Raine choked back a sob. She even hated the tears running silently down her face. More weakness. But if they were going to spend this much energy helping her, she owed them the ugly truth.

“In the moment, I felt so strong. I’d let what he said roll off my back. I’d vanquished him and made him bleed for a change. Then…” She sagged on the cross as a sob took her. “Beck drove me to the beach, and I realized his insults were coiled up in my brain. I thought I’d taken the head off the snake, but I could still hear him hiss. I worry I’ll never be strong enough to block him out.”

No one moved for a long moment, then Liam and Hammer rushed to unfasten her cuffs from the cross, as if they couldn’t get her down fast enough. Macen peeled away the pads of the TENS unit. Was this it? Had her ugliest truth finally broken their will?

She risked a peek at Liam. Heartbreak was all over his face as he gathered her in his arms and carried her gently to the bed. Hammer followed close behind, sorrow etched into his expression. Almost as one, they melted to the mattress on their knees.

Liam settled her on her back. His fingers shook as he cupped her face and kissed every tear away. “We’ve got you, love. I’m so sorry for all that monster put you through, but he can’t hurt you now—or ever again. Even if you don’t believe it, you’re too strong to let him. He may have taught you to expect the worst in others, but we will always be here. I’ll always protect you. And if I get the chance, I’ll fucking slice the bastard. I’ll make him bleed.”

“You can’t. He’s dangerous. I don’t want him near either of you. Somehow, he knows where I’ve been all these years. He told me—”

“It doesn’t matter if he knows where to find you.” Hammer stretched out behind her, stroking her with such uncharacteristic tenderness. “If he ever comes near you again, he’s a dead man. That’s a promise.”

“That it is, my brave, beautiful lass.” Liam brought her head to his chest. “Don’t worry about us. Just let it out and know that I love you. I’m amazed by the way you’ve carried on so well for so long.”

“I haven’t. That’s why we’re here.” She sobbed.

“Give yourself a bit of credit. You’ve been through more than most, Raine,” Liam whispered. “I saw what you endured. The brutality of it blindsided me. Getting flattened by a truck would have been easier, I think. I can only imagine how you felt. I truly wish I’d known sooner so I could have helped you.”

On the one hand, Raine completely saw Liam’s point. Maybe if she’d told him everything earlier, she could have started healing and saved them all so much pain. But the more important he’d become to her, the more frightened she’d been to be vulnerable with him. On the other hand, how could he know the extent of her father’s cruelty?

She froze. “What do you mean, you saw it?”