I’m throwing myself into my studies, and I’ve been up late every night drawing designs and sewing until my fingers ache. It’s the only thing that adequately distracts me. After a couple of nights of not sleeping—thrashing about in bed as the worst of my nightmares made an unwelcome return—I picked up a prescription for sleeping tablets. I took one last night and enjoyed three hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep before the horrific memories invaded my slumber.
Keven has stayed true to his word, contacting me daily with an update. He put a trace on the phone the text message came from, but he wasn’t able to track down the sender or his location as the person covered their tracks too well. Kev says it’s the work of someone who knows what they are doing, so I know he isn’t doing this alone. All Kev could tell with certainty is that it’s an American cell number and most likely the person is in the country.
I dry retched for an hour after that discussion.
I’m tempted to flee. To take off again, but where would I go? And how long would it take before he’d find me again?
No, running away isn’t the solution.
Fucked if I know what is.
I almost took to the bottle the other night, but, somehow, I managed to resist. Returning to form would be so easy, but then all my hard work is undone, and I’m giving him power over me again. So, I’ve resisted but we’re going out tomorrow night, and I’m infused with wild, reckless abandon. Perhaps, I should stay home, but I don’t want to be alone, and I don’t want to ask Faye to stay in again. Ky has been sleeping at our place all week, and they’ve barely left my side, because I begged her to stay in our apartment. She obliged immediately, but she knows I’m scared, and she wants to know the reason why.
“Rachel!” Lauren’s concerned tone brings me back to the moment.
“What?”
She takes my elbow, steering me out of the building. “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”
I zip my jacket up as we hit the pavement. “Sorry. I was daydreaming.”
“You know you can tell me anything, right? I know something’s wrong, and I just want to be a friend.”
I link my arm in hers. “And I love you for that, but I’m grand, honestly.”
Filthy dirty liar.
She chuckles. “I’m so borrowing that word.”
“You have my permission.” I can’t even muster a smile.
Her humorous expression withers and dies. “I know you have something on your mind. Is it Brad?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I’ve washed him right out of my hair.” That’s only half a lie. I have managed to avoid thinking of him too much, but that’s only because all the other stuff is occupying my mind. At the moment, I have zero energy to figure out what’s going on with Brad, and he hasn’t contacted me all week, so I’m guessing we’re both on the same page and I’m fine with that.
“Maybe you’ll meet someone at the party tomorrow. Gav’s bringing a few of his buddies along, and there’s a couple of hotties in the group. You should let loose, and have some fun. Relieve some of that tension.”
“I’m not interested.” The words fly out of my mouth.
She raises her palms. “Okay. I get it. No running interference. Gotcha.”
The party is on in the basement of some swanky three-story townhouse a fifteen-minute walk from Harvard. Some of the guys who play football with Brad live here, and they’re celebrating their earlier win. Brad wasn’t playing or even at the game. He’s still back in Wellesley with his family. According to Ky, their solicitor has done some deal whereby his mom will give a statement in return for immunity from arrest. It’s Brad’s dad they want, and she’s only a means to an end.
“Easy there, chicka,” Faye tells me, eyeing my fresh bottle of beer. “You only picked at your dinner, and you know how it affects you when you drink on an empty stomach.”
“I’ve got this. It’s cool,” I lie. I promised myself I could have a couple beers before we set out, but they’re going down way too easy. I’m already on my third and nicely buzzing.
I just want to forget.
I can have this one night, and I won’t spiral backward.
I’m still in control, I delude myself.
Faye and Ky are stuck to my side, and I hate that I’m cramping their style, but I’m not drunk enough yet to let them off the leash either. Every so often, I turn around, scanning the room. This type of a setup would be ideal. He could slip in and blend into the crowd and be upon me before I realized it, so, even though I’m well on my way to getting smashed, I’m not drunk enough to lose all sense of my priorities.
By the time Lauren, Gavin, and company show up, I’ve gone beyond the point of caring. She introduces me to the guys, and soon I’m in the middle of the group cracking jokes and laughing like I haven’t a care in the world. In this moment, I don’t. I fling my arms out as the music turns louder, swaying my hips in time to the beat.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Large hands land on my hips, and I’m spun around. The guy smiling down at me looks somewhat familiar, but I can’t yet place him. He’s cute though with really broad muscular shoulders, dark brown hair that is curled at the front, and two massive dimples.
Man, I’m such a sucker for dimples. Before I know what I’m doing, my fingers are caressing the cute indents in his cheeks.
“I’ve zero issue with you putting your hands on me, but what the hell are you doing?” he asks, grinning.
“Exssamining your dimpless. They’re ssspectacularr.” I’ve a feeling I may be slurring my words a little.
He barks out a laugh. “Whatever turns you on, gorgeous.” He grips my hips more firmly, and he starts moving us from side to side.
My hands land on his solid chest. “Nice.” I trail my fingers up and down his chest and the ripped contours of his abs. “Very niccce.”
He laughs again. “You’re something else, but I like it. I like you.”
I bat my eyelashes, running my hands up his arms and under his short-sleeved shirt, purring as I caress his huge biceps. “Biceps. Yum. Yummy.” I nibble on my lip, swaying a little on my feet, and his large palm moves to my lower back, holding me in place.
“Want to take this somewhere more private?” he asks, and I nod without thinking.
Taking my hand, he leads me across the room. Faye is in front of me in a flash. “Where are you going?”
“Somewhere private.” I wink and then giggle.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Her eyes narrow as she stares at the beefcake by my side.
“Me either. I think issa great idea.” I giggle again.
“All righty. You heard the lady. If you’ll excuse us.” The beefcake wraps his arm around my waist, steering me forward.
Faye runs in front of him, slamming her palm into his chest. “She’s drunk and she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
He glares at Faye. “She’s a little tipsy, so what. Aren’t we all?”
“Stop being a party pooper!” I peel her hand off his chest, trying to focus on her face, but it’s blurry and I’m seeing double. “Go grab your guy and hazz some fun. I’ll be back sssoon.”
“Rach—”
“Christ, Faye! Would you just fucking quit it!” I grab her arm, pulling her off to the side, whispering in her ear. “I know what I’m doing, and I just want to forget, and cut loose, have a li’l fun. A mindless fuck is exactly what the doctor ordered. He’s on the football team with Brad,” I add, suddenly remembering why he’s familiar, “and we’re only going to be upstairs, so chill out. I know whass I’m doing. Go back to your boyfriend before he freaks out.”
I grab the guy’s hand and pull him forward. “Let’s get this party started.”
He leers at me, bringing my hand to his mouth and planting a wet kiss on my skin. “Your wish is my command.”
I trot alongside him, teetering on
my heels, vaguely aware of passing faces, hearing voices, and going up a couple floors. My head is spinning, and my stomach is churning, but my brain is beautifully fuzzy, and that’s what I’m after.
The click of a door locking brings me back to the moment. I glance around. We’re in a decent-sized bedroom. The walls are painted a dark gray, and the king-sized bed is dressed in shades of black and gray. The bed is unmade as he pushes me back on it, crawling over me and smashing his mouth against mine.
So much for subtlety.
He tastes like beer and stale cigarettes, and my stomach lurches. He’s attacking my mouth like it’s been a decade since he kissed a girl, and there’s nothing tender or pleasant about the sensation. A meaty hand slides under my dress and up my thigh. Shoving my knickers aside, he thrusts a finger inside me without warning, and it hurts. Guess he’s not much for foreplay either.
His breath is hot and heavy as his finger starts pumping in and out, and panic seizes control of my body.
What am I doing?
I don’t want this.
Reaching down, I grab his wrist and yank on it, trying to turn my face to the side, away from his plundering mouth. His bulky frame presses down on me, and I can’t get enough air into my lungs. “Stop!” I cry, tugging on his hand again. His finger stalls inside me, and he lifts his mouth off mine. I suck in greedy lungsful of air.
“What’s wrong, babe?” His finger pumps inside me again.
“Gezz off me. I changed my mind.”
“What?!” he growls, rocking his hips against mine, making sure I’m aware of how aroused he is. “You can’t get me all worked up and then decide to fuck off. You want my mouth all over you, is that it?” Removing his finger, he moves up my body, and his mouth suctions on my neck, before quickly trailing lower. He tugs on the straps of my dress, yanking them down, and his lips slide over the swell of my breasts.
Panicking, I prop up on my elbows, throwing him off balance a little. The room spins. “Whoa.” My vision is blurry, and I feel ill. Not that he seems to care. He lowers his face to my chest again. “Stop!” I plead. “I don’t want to do thisss with you. I mazz a mistake.”
He pushes me back down on the bed. “Just relax, baby. You’re so tense.” He starts tearing at my dress, desperate to get me naked. One side of my dress is ripped down, dragging my bra with it, exposing my left breast. He starts kneading my flesh roughly, his thumb pinching me, and a small cry leaves my mouth.
Flashbacks resurrect in my mind, and everything locks up inside me. “Please, stop,” I ask in a quiet voice, all the fight leaving me in a rush as my past finally catches up to me.
“Just stop thinking, lie back, and enjoy. I’ll have you begging for my cock in no time.” His mouth crashes against mine as he frantically pulls at the other side of my dress. His breath reeks in the claustrophobic room, and the sounds of his slobbering, combined with the rough, greedy brush of his hands against my flesh, drags me firmly into the past, mentally kicking and screaming.
I ask him to stop again, but he ignores me.
It’s as if my pleas have ghosted silently over his head.
As if my voice carries no tone or no weight.
As if I’ve resumed invisible status.
Horrific scenes return to haunt me. The hands pulling at my clothes are replaced with more familiar ones. The mouth brutalizing mine belongs to someone else. The body pinning me down exerts ultimate power, as he did time and time again.
I’m transported back to the very place I’ve been trying to escape, and I check out.
A rattling of the door handle barely snags my attention as he forces his tongue deep into my mouth. The sound of material ripping scarcely registers. Huge tears slide down my face, and my entire body is trembling, but I give up fighting. What’s the point? He’ll just take what he wants anyway. If I stay quiet and do as I’m told, it’ll be over quicker. He pushes my thighs apart, burying his groin between my legs and emitting a guttural moan that twists my insides into knots. Acid churns in my gut, and nausea crawls up my throat, but I’m frozen in place on the bed, locked in the terrors of my past.
The door slams inward with a massive bang, crashing off the wall with a loud thud. Kyler storms into the room, followed by Keven and Gavin. The guy is ripped off me superfast, and Ky punches him in the face. Then Faye is there, pulling the ripped threads of my dress up, so I’m somewhat concealed, and cradling me in her arms. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
I’m numb in her arms, clutching her shoulders and staring vacantly ahead. Sounds of scuffling and multiple curses filter through the room, but I barely hear it. Lauren crouches down in front of me, tears streaming down her face. She pulls off her cardigan and swathes me in it, buttoning it all the way to the top so I’m fully covered.
“I’m okay,” I hear myself say in a monotone voice. “He didn’t do anything to me.” Well, not that much in the scheme of things. It could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.
“I’m getting her out of here,” Keven says, lifting me into his strong arms. I rest my head on his chest as he walks with me, my stomach heaving with every jarring step. My surroundings blur, and my eyes spin in my head. Nausea churns at the base of my throat, and I clamp my lips shut.
As my eyes continue to roil in my head, I have one thought before my world turns black: I wish Brad was here.
Chapter Nineteen
Brad
I’m blatantly ignoring the speed limit, but I couldn’t give two shits. I’d challenge any cop to pull me over and manage to restrain me. I can barely think over the red rage that’s taken control of my body. I didn’t hesitate when I received the call from Ryan, jumping in the car immediately. It was Ryan who tipped Ky off when he noticed Rachel going upstairs with Brady, and I owe him, big time. The closer I get to Harvard, the stronger my blood boils.
I try Ky again. I’ve been calling him incessantly, but he hasn’t picked up so far.
But perseverance pays off.
He answers, this time, on the third ring. “You heard.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s sleeping, but she seems okay.”
Bile coats the inside of my mouth but I need to ask this question. “What did he do to her?”
“He was all over her when we bust into the room, and her dress was ripped, but I don’t think it had gone very far, although we won’t know until Faye talks to her, and that’s if she even remembers. She was totally wasted.”
Stars burst across my retinas, and the urge to hit something is strong. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I should’ve been there. If I had, that asshole wouldn’t have dared go near her.”
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you think?”
“You need back up?”
“I’m good. Ryan and a few of the others will have my back.”
“You sure about that? He’s on the team too.”
“Brady isn’t well liked, and he’s tried to pull this shit before. The guys take a dim view of any guy who tries to force himself on girls. Trust me, they’ll willingly join in.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here then. Faye’s upset, and she needs me. But if anything changes, just call and I’ll be there. Don’t be surprised if Kev has beat you to it. He was furious.”
“I didn’t know Kev was there. How the fuck did he allow this?” How the fuck did you? It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I manage to rein it in. I’m saving all the venom for the douche who deserves it.
“He’d only just arrived, and, besides, I told you already they aren’t seeing each other. She isn’t his responsibility.” That confirmation should please me, but, when it comes to Rachel and Keven, I don’t think anyone but them knows what’s going on.
“Just be careful. You don’t need more heat on you.”
Tell me something I don’t know, but, in this moment, the only thing that matters
is delivering punishment to the asshole who hurt Rachel. Consequences be damned.
By the time I reach the brownstone Brady shares with a few of our teammates, I’m practically spitting blood. I take the stairs three at a time, pummeling my fists on the door without mercy. Ryan opens up with a grave expression. He jerks his head upward. “He’s hiding in his bedroom, but he knows you were coming. Grant and Fisher are with him, but everyone else is either with you or staying out of it. You sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure,” I snarl through gritted teeth. “But you don’t have to. If Coach gets wind of this, there’ll be hell to pay.”
“I know, but if that was Chelsea, I’d want to pound his unapologetic ass into next week.”
I nod. “Okay, let’s do this.”
I sprint up the stairs, fueled by angry adrenaline. Five of my teammates are waiting outside Brady’s room, and they go quiet when I arrive. One by one we touch knuckles. “I appreciate this, but this is my battle, and my fists will be the ones flying.”
“This douche has had this coming. It’s not just your battle,” Green speaks up. “He’s shamed the team, and that reflects on all of us.”
“Fair enough, but shit will get real if this gets out. Are you prepared for the fallout?”
The guys trade concerned expressions, and it’s clear they haven’t properly thought this through.
“Are you?” Green retaliates.
I don’t need to think about it for long. I thought of nothing else on the drive here. “Yeah. Yeah, I am. He’s not getting away with doing that to Rachel.” I was weighing up the possible consequences on the drive over, and there’s nothing that will stop me from teaching this pervert a lesson. Nothing.
Green slaps me on the shoulder. “Then I’m with you.”
“We all are,” Ryan supplies.
“Thanks, but only get involved if it’s necessary. Agreed?”
Saving Brad (The Kennedy Boys Book 5) Page 15