I’m only half paying attention to him as I watch the camera feeds alternating from room to room. My stomach churns as I spot the feed in our bedroom. I wonder how long these cameras have been there. Were they all installed on Monday while I was attending classes at MassArt, completely ignorant of what was going on in my own home, or have they been here all along?
I wonder if I ever knew Daniel at all?
Has everything been a lie?
And how stupid am I not to have seen the signs?
I knew he couldn’t be making this kind of money as a new attorney, yet I accepted the bullshit he fed me without truly stopping to question it.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Why am I so fucking naïve all the time?
Why do I keep trying to see the good in people when all they do is let me down?
“Honey.” Kev tilts my face to his worried one. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll protect you. I’m not going to let him hurt you. I promise.”
“He won’t hurt me.”
“Cheryl.” He sighs, shaking his head. “That’s what guys like Daniel do. They have no empathy. No remorse. He’d hurt you like that.” He clicks his fingers, standing with me still enveloped in his arms.
The images on the screens flicker before fading away, replaced with cloudy static. Kev’s still got the magic touch.
“Let me down, please.” I shuffle out of his hold, crossing my arms over my chest. “I appreciate your offer of help but I’m not going anywhere tonight.”
His jaw tenses and his eyes narrow. “What the fuck, Cheryl? Please don’t tell me you’re staying with him. Please don’t tell me you’re that stupid?”
That is like a red flag to a bull, and I shove at his chest, channeling my anger in the totally wrong direction. “Who the hell are you to call me stupid? After all the stupid shit you did back in high school? And, not that it’s any of your business but I’m breaking off the engagement and leaving Daniel; however, I’m confronting him first. I want him to look me in the eye and tell me he’s been lying this whole time.”
Kev is violently shaking his head. “No! No way! You can’t stay here! He could fucking kill you! Or worse, sell you to those perverts he’s in business with!” He grabs hold of my arm, dragging me out of the room. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Go pack a bag, and we’re leaving.”
“No, we’re not.” I wrestle out of his hold, trying to calm myself down. It’s not Keven I’m angry at. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you. I’m going to end things officially with him tonight, and I’ll come to your place then. I know you want to protect me, but he won’t hurt me, no matter what you think of him, he wouldn’t do that.”
“Fuck!” He lashes out, kicking the wall in frustration. “How can you be this naïve?” he shouts. “Eva was married to Jeremy for years, and he kidnapped her and was going to let his men gang rape her before handing her over to his network of pimps. Wake the fuck up, Cheryl! Stanten is no different. If Jeremy could do that to his wife, what do you think Stanten would do to his fiancée of a few months?”
“I’m not walking out without an explanation,” I calmly reply, although I’m shaking all over at his words.
He claws his hands through his hair, growling in frustration. “Have you any idea the things he’s been doing? He’s been fucking underage girls behind your back, and he’s involved in all kinds of illegal shit.”
“What? No! How could you even know that?”
He grips my shoulders, pushing his face into mine. “I can’t tell you that, but please trust me when I tell you it’s the truth.”
I snort. “Trust you? You’ve been back in my life a hot minute and you want me to trust you?” I push him away. “I trust you about as much as I trust Dan right now.”
It’s a low blow, and I know it, but I’m done with men manipulating me. I’m going to end things with Dan on my terms. I’m going to get closure this time. I’m not being naïve. I know it’s risky, but I’m taking control this time. I’m ending this on my terms and walking away with my head held high.
Hurt lances across his face, and I’m instantly remorseful. “Kev, I—”
“I got it,” he barks. “You still hate me.”
I step in closer to him, planting my hands on his impressive chest. “Kev, I’ve never hated you. I wanted to, believe me, but I just couldn’t. I love you too much to hate you. I know you’re worried, but you’ve got to let me do this my way.” I stretch up on tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “I’m sorry I said that, and I take it back. I trust you more than I trust him, but trust works both ways. You’ve got to trust me to know how to handle this. I need to do this my way.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” His eyes fill up, and my heart melts.
I wrap my arms around him, closing my eyes as I lay my head on his chest. His arms automatically go around my waist. “Nothing will happen to me, but if it makes you feel better, put one of those tracker things on my cell.”
“Is there anything I can say to convince you to leave with me now?” he asks, running his hand up and down my spine.
I look up at him. “No,” I truthfully admit, and he lets loose a string of expletives. I pull my cell out of my pocket. “Put the tracker on it, and then you better go. He could be home any second.”
“I really don’t like this,” Kev says as I walk him to the door ten minutes later. He put some tracking software on my cell and insisted on adding these little chip trackers to my shoes. I’d teased him that he was like James Bond, always carrying useful gadgets, but it didn’t go down well as he pinned me with a dark look and growled low under his breath.
“But you’re trusting me, and I promise I’ll text you as soon as he comes home and the minute I’m out of here. I’ll call a taxi, and I’ll come straight to your place. I promise. Now, go.” I gently nudge him toward the door. “I’ve got to pack.”
He goes to open the door, but then he swings around, reeling me into his strong arms. His body trembles against mine. “I love you, Cheryl Ann Keeland, and if anything happens to you, I’m holding you responsible.”
I hold him tight, closing my eyes and enjoying his warmth and his comforting strength. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I’ll talk to you later or tomorrow.”
I have to almost physically force him out the door, but eventually, he leaves, and I hurry around the house, gathering my personal possessions and boxing them up. It’s after midnight by the time I’ve packed up all my stuff, and there’s still no sign of Dan.
My cell pings, and I check my messages. I’ve one from Dan telling me he’ll be late and another from Keven telling me to open the front gate to let his friend drop my Audi off. The buzzer for the main gate goes, and I let the man in, hurrying out to meet him so I can thank him in person for getting my car back to me so fast. I’m guessing Kev called him the minute he left and offered him some ridiculous amount of money to get my car back to me tonight.
His thoughtfulness and protectiveness cause my chest to swell with so much emotion. This is the Keven I know. The guy who goes out of his way to take care of me. I’d almost forgotten how incredible it feels to be cared for like this.
As I wait for Dan, I think over everything Keven said, and I can’t believe I was so blind. So naïve to believe Dan when he said he had all these late meetings. It’s obvious he’s cheating on me, but the thought of him sleeping with underage girls sickens me. I don’t know what Keven knows, or how he knows it, but I’m really hoping he’s wrong about that fact. And don’t get me started on the armed men out in the woods. I don’t think they mean me any harm, but who knows what their instructions are. I try not to think about them as I wait for my soon-to-be ex-fiancé to come home.
By two a.m., my eyelids are drooping, and I’m yawning profusely. I text Keven to tell him I’m going to sleep and I’ll talk to Dan in the morning. I’m asleep before his
reply arrives.
My alarm goes off at six a.m., and I roll over in the empty bed. Dan didn’t even come home last night. I shower and get changed, skipping breakfast because I’ve no appetite, and then I load up my car with my stuff. I message Keven and Lin and take a last look around the house for anything I might have missed before grabbing a coffee and phoning my mom. She’s an early riser, like me, and I know she’ll be awake.
“Sweetheart, it’s so good to hear from you,” she says, sounding all sunny and cheery on the other end of the line.
“It’s good to hear your voice too.”
“Oh no. I know that voice. What’s happened?”
I proceed to tell her everything about Dan and Kev and what Kev said about Dan. “I’m going to have to side with Keven on this one. Please get the hell out of that house.”
“I’m going Mom as soon as we finish this call. My car’s already packed.”
“I knew there was something off about that man,” she mumbles.
“I should have listened to you.” I’d brought Dan home a couple times since we got engaged, and my parents never really warmed to him. Mom took me aside on the second visit to ask me if I was sure and to share her concerns. I brushed them aside without giving them too much attention which was a big mistake.
“There’s just something so … cold and unnatural … about that man. Sure, he looked like the doting fiancé, he played the role well, but he didn’t look at you the way Keven Kennedy used to.”
“What way did Kev look at me?” I ask, chewing on the inside of my cheek.
“Like you were the only girl in existence. Like his world started and ended with you.” I can hear her smiling down the line. “I’d watch you both when you were at the kitchen table doing your homework, and sometimes, I’d catch him watching you when you weren’t aware. Your head would be stuck in a book and he’d just look at you with so much love in his eyes. It astounded me. You were both so young, but the love between you wasn’t. Which is why I was so disappointed in him.”
There’s a telling pregnant pause. “I know how strongly you felt about him, and I’m glad he’s explained what happened back then, but I don’t want to see you hurt all over again.”
“He’s made some foolish mistakes, and while it was still a betrayal, it wasn’t a betrayal of the heart,” I quietly say before adding, “Do you think I should take him back?”
“Only you can answer that, but don’t rush into anything until you’re sure. You’re ending your engagement, and your childhood sweetheart might seem like the answer to all your prayers, but you won’t know how you feel until you can separate your emotions. If it’s meant to be, you two will find your way back to one another.”
Silence engulfs us for a few beats until her concerned voice filters down the line. “Don’t worry about that now, Cheryl. What’s most important is that you get the hell out of that house and sever all ties with Dan. So, go, baby girl. Go and get to safety. You’ll figure out the rest after that.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you too. Now leave! And text me when you’re safe.”
Hayley drops into the seat beside me in the auditorium while we wait for the prof to show up. I’m surprised to see her. Lately, she’s been missing a lot of morning classes. “Hey,” I say, turning to face her. “Oh my God. Are you okay?” I ask the instant I spot the raw red markings around her neck. She’s attempted to hide them with an expensive, new Hermes silk scarf, but she’s done a piss poor job of it.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” she smirks, sipping from a paper cup.
“What happened to your neck?” I whisper, leaning in close to inspect the raised, angry welts.
“Kinky sex.” She waggles her brows, and my face contorts. I try to be open-minded, each to their own and all that, but those marks look nasty and painful. “Christ, you’re such a fucking prude.” Her eyes glint maliciously as she pins me with a smug look. “No wonder Dan has to seek his pleasure elsewhere.”
Pressure settles on my chest, and bile travels up my throat. “What did you just say?”
“You heard me.” She can’t contain her grin. “I’ve been fucking Dan for the past three months. Where else do you think he is late at night or when he doesn’t come home? I was blowing him when he sent you that text last night, and he only left my bed an hour ago.”
“He doesn’t even like you.”
She bursts out laughing, drawing attention from some students in the rows in front. “You’re so fucking gullible, which makes this easy. You deserve to be cheated on if you’re that naïve. I’ve grown tired of waiting for him to tell you, so I’ll do it. He’s leaving you for me. I guess I’ll be the one driving around in the fancy Audi and living in the mansion.” She winks, grinning like the cat that got the cream.
I stand, feeling ill to the pit of my stomach. “You’re welcome to all of it, and I hope you get what’s coming to you. Now that I think about it, you two make such a lovely couple. Let’s hope you have what it takes to hold him, or one day, you could find yourself in my place.” I hold my head up high as I leave my former best friend, and the auditorium, behind.
As I walk through the parking lot toward my car, a massive sense of relief washes over me. Hayley may believe she’s screwed me over, but she’s just done me a huge favor.
I get to end this now without admitting I know anything about cameras or the armed men or the underage girls which I one hundred percent believe now. I know Keven was worried that I’d blurt too much out in the heat of the moment, and he’d cautioned me to be very careful what I said to him. Now, I can let Daniel believe he is the reason our engagement is ending. His cheating has broken us up and it ties it all up nice and cleanly. I can walk away with him believing I know nothing of his shady operation and live my life without fear of retaliation.
Most of all though, this has proven that I never really loved him, not enough to have ever consented to marry him. Because the devastation I felt when I thought Keven had betrayed me was heartbreaking, and I was inconsolable. Hearing Dan has been cheating with Hayley, and God knows how many others, has left me feeling nothing but sheer relief. Yes, I feel stupid and naïve for not realizing but I’ve found out the truth in time.
I’ve dodged a bullet, avoiding making the worst mistake of my life.
Right now, that’s all that matters.
Chapter 13
Keven
“This is excellent work, Keven. I’m very impressed.” I should be happy the SSA is singing my praises, but I’m anxious for this fucking briefing to end so I can get home to Cheryl. I was too worried to leave her at my place all alone, so Eva and Kade are with her, and my brother has promised he won’t leave until I arrive home.
I managed to install a hidden feed linking from all the cameras in Stanten’s house to a secure private video network where we can watch the comings and goings at will, so the boss man wants everyone working overtime to try and nail these bastards.
I tilt my head from side to side, attempting to loosen the kink in my neck and stiff shoulders. I spent all night in my car, tucked into the shadows about a half a mile from Stanten’s place. There was no way in hell I was leaving Cheryl in that house by herself waiting for that monster to come home. I wanted to be close by so I could be there in a flash if she needed me. And, only for the fact I had to complete a routine physical this morning, I would’ve been shadowing Cheryl when she confronted Stanten at his office and broke things off with him.
I can’t keep the smug grin off my face as we watch the fallout from that meeting on the screen. I knew Stanten would get his security people in to fix the system immediately. I’ve crossed paths with this company before, and they’re notorious for using outdated systems so they can skim extra profit off the top. Lucky for us, they aren’t using the latest tech, or I’d never have been able to install the hidden program which gives us access to the fe
ed.
I’ve hacked in now, focusing on the living room where Stanten is presently wearing a line in the carpet. He paces back and forth, screaming and shouting at his three associates. The room is a mess, because when he first arrived home, he trashed it in a scary display of uncontrollable rage. I’m not a behavioral analyst, but the guy looks psychopathic to me.
“How the fuck did this happen?!” he roars, prodding his finger in Jesse Robert’s chest. “You were supposed to keep that bitch Hayley on a leash.”
“Don’t fucking blame me for this, man. You’re the one who started spending more time with her. Staying over and leading her to believe you loved her.”
“The only thing I loved about that whore was choking her while I was fucking her in the ass.”
Jesse snorts. “She’s a dirty bitch, but she has zero limits. She let me do all manner of shit that most girls would balk at. You sure you want to get rid of her?”
“I can’t get Cheryl back unless she’s out of the picture.”
All the blood drains from my face. I’d hoped Stanten would let Cheryl go without a fight, but that was clearly wishful thinking.
Jesse leans against the wall. “I don’t get it, man. Why her? She’s too vanilla. Too honest. Too sweet. If you ask me, Hayley did you a solid. Cheryl doesn’t belong in this world.”
Stanten flies across the room, grabbing Jesse around the throat and slamming him into the wall. “Don’t you ever fucking talk about Cheryl like that again.” His eyes glisten with murderous intent. “My father told me to find a nice, pretty girl to raise a family with. Someone with good genes and from a wholesome family. Someone bright but not too bright who wouldn’t pry into my business affairs. Cheryl has big plans for her own career, so she won’t be bothered with mine. She looks good on my arm, and she has a tight little cunt I happen to love fucking.”
My hands ball into fists under the table, and I bite back the primitive roar dying to burst free of my chest. I glare at Agent Wentward as he sends me a knowing look.
Forgiving Keven: A Stand-Alone Second Chance Romance Page 11