Island of Secrets and Scars

“But you gained from her death, didn’t you?” he accused.

Her hand shot out, connecting with his cheek before she even realized her intent to slap him. Keso’s wide eyes glistened.

She cradled her hand to her chest. “I would never have done anything to harm your sister,” she spoke through her own tears. “I wanted her to live. I would’ve given anything to save her. Don’t you dare make it sound like I’m glad she’s dead.”

How could he accuse her of profiting from the death of an innocent girl? True, there were things in her life she wouldn’t have if Keira had lived. But maybe there were things she would have too. Maybe she would’ve eventually found the strength to return to face Ian and her old life.

“You’ll only hurt everyone if you go after Victor Roberts,” she warned as she stepped back. “Especially Arabella.”

To the bottom of her soul, she believed those words. No one challenged Victor Roberts without paying heavily for that defiance. Keso may not care what the mobster could do to him, but the other man wouldn’t bother to hurt Keso directly. Arabella and Cameron would be the ones to suffer. After seeing the ways the monster had used and abused Keira, Cameron didn’t relish even the thought of how he’d use her and her daughter to punish Keso. Roberts wasn’t just a mean man. He had no moral compass and no fear of the depravity that lived within him.

When Keso only glared at her, she continued, “Someone’s need for vengeance against that man has already hurt our daughter and friend. I won’t let it happen again.”

Keso shook his head. His blond curls bounced. “You think you can stop it, Doc? The things that man’s done—he deserves to die. If it’s not me, then someone else.”

Fear and anger flooded her veins. “Not at the expense of Ara. I won’t see her suffer the same fate as—”

Keso surged forward, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Don’t.” He met her gaze. Tears filled her eyes at what she saw staring back at her. Keso was just as terrified as she. Roberts had the power to ruin the life they’d built as effectively as he’d ruined Keira.

Against his palm, she whispered, “If you go after him, he’ll hurt her.”

Sighing, he released her, then ran his shaking hand through his hair. Hopefully, he’d take her words to heart and leave the other man alone. Victor Roberts couldn’t notice them. If he did, he might connect them to the girl he’d allowed his men to use and leave for dead. They needed the bastard to stay away and leave them to the lives they’d forged on this island—and the secrets they’d buried beneath them.