Hating You (Blackthorn Elite 1)

I let my need for revenge cloud my mind, and I got sloppy. I should have been smarter than that, but instead, I got caught up in my hunger for vengeance.

We’re even now. I almost laugh at the thought. Even. That’s what she thought this was… that what I felt for her was only revenge. I guess I would have to show her otherwise, then again, I thought I had shown her. I thought she could feel the change in me.

Sitting in one of the booths at the restaurant, I wait for my order. Seeing her so broken, so damn shattered. It did me in. It made me feel like I hadn’t felt in two years. Yes, I set my brother free, but in doing so, killed someone else. I broke Willow.

“Your food is ready,” the hostess calls me over to the bar interrupting my thoughts before they spiral out of control. I get up and take the bag she gives me.

“Thanks,” I mutter before heading out of the door, through the lobby and into the elevator. The doors pings open on the fifth floor, and I step out. I knock on Willow’s door, an uneasy feeling settling in my stomach.

Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. Maybe I should give her some more time.

A moment later, Brett opens the door, and the feeling in my gut expands. Something is off. My pulse pounds in my throat, and I grip the bag harder in my closed fist.

“I have a surprise for you,” Brett grins, but there is something weird about that grin, something unnatural. His lips are pulled up in a grin, but his eyes are murderous. I know that look, that feeling… it’s…

“What—” The word gets lodged in my throat when Brett steps aside, and I peer into the room. My eyes bulge out of my head, and I almost drop the bag of food when I see Willow. I think I’m going to be sick.

She is sprawled out on the bed, gagged and tied up. Her face white as the sheet she is lying on. Big fat tears slip down the side of her face, and all I want to do is run to her and untie her, but something feels very dangerous about this whole situation. Something tells me that treading lightly is my best bet here.

“What the fuck, Brett?” I seethe, barely holding my rage back.

“I know, it’s not a good idea to do this here, but I couldn’t wait,” Brett tells me as if I knew that this was the plan all along.

Walking inside, I close the door, the sound making Willow jump against the mattress. She looks at me with pleading eyes, struggling with all her strength against the restraints. How the fuck do I defuse this situation? Does she think I did this? Fuck, I’m angry and confused, but above anything else, I have to get him to let her go. No matter what. Even if I have to play along. I’ll protect her.

“You need to explain this whole thing to me, Brett, what the hell is going on here? I thought you were innocent. Why are you tying her up?”

“I figured Dad told you the truth by now.”

“What truth?” I try to keep my eyes on him, but Willow’s whimpering makes it damn near impossible. Each sound, a knife slicing through my skin.

“Nate and I were both there that night. Ashton told me it was over, that she didn’t want to see me anymore. Told me I was too controlling. That bitch had to ruin everything. We were perfect for each other, and she had to ruin it all.” He shakes his head, disappointment dripping from every word he speaks.

I let the fact that he just admitted to raping Ashton sink in for one single second. If it weren’t for me, Willow wouldn’t be here right now. She wouldn’t be in danger; her sister might still be alive. He did it. I thought… I thought he was innocent. This whole time, I blamed someone else. I directed all my anger toward the wrong person.

And my father… he knew too. He knew, and he still treated Willow the way he did? I’ll have to deal with him later, but right now, I need to concentrate on Brett.

Looking up at him, it becomes harder not to lash out. He wore his mask so well. Hid his darkness like a second skin. Anger burns through me at the speed of lightning, rushing to the surface, zinging through every cell. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Willow’s petite form shaking. I have to end this… I have to…

“And what are we exactly planning to do here?”

Brett shrugs, “Just having some fun with her. Don’t worry, I brought condoms. Not making that mistake again,” he chuckles. He fucking chuckles. He has to be fucking crazy if he thinks I’m going to let him fuck her.