The bombshell was dropped and Shadow bolted to his feet, a panicked look in his dark eyes that quickly morphed into unbridled rage.
He stepped around the table and pulled me up, his slim, athletic frame trembling with the burden of the truth.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, enveloping me in his brotherly embrace.
I thought of him that way. A younger brother that I never had. We grew close and I cared about this kid and his future.
“You can’t get crazy about this. There’s more I need to say and you have to listen. It’s important.”
Shadow sighed and released me, sinking back on his chair as I took my place again across from him.
“Okay.” He was slightly grumpy but he’d get over it.
“Patriot rescued me the night Alexi Voltoy planned my murder.” Shadow let out a strangled sound of fury but I ignored him. “I was in Alexi’s car when the club jumped him and killed his men. He was brought back here to the Crossroads for interrogation. That’s when Patriot found me. I was drugged and tied up, falling out of the back and right into his arms. He’s taken care of me ever since.”
“That how your arm got burned?”
“Sort of. Alexi forced me to, uh, m-meet,” I stuttered, “with a group of guys. They’re the ones that burned me after,” I whispered, not daring to look at his face.
“After what?” he asked with concern. “Are you saying that you were violated?”
All I did was nod in response.
“Fuck,” he cursed, “Motherfuckers! I’ll kill them.”
“Rael already did.”
Shadow let out a low whistle. “Damn. That’s another reason I love that guy.”
“I’m sorry Stefanie was taken,” I whispered. “I wish I could have been there to help her.”
He stiffened slightly but then relaxed, working the muscle in his jaw as he sat up straighter. “None of this is your fault,” he responded with conviction.
“I made a promise to my friend Katya that I would try to protect her and keep her safe but I broke that promise.” Tears filled my eyes. “She was pregnant. Nobody knew. It’s been nearly five months since then. I have no idea how she’s doing or what’s happening to her now.”
“That’s not your fault either.”
“I know but it’s still hard.”
Shadow reached across the table and placed his hand over mine as my head lifted. “We’re gonna get these assholes. I don’t know when or how but we will.”
“Patriot is working on that.”
Shadow’s elbows slipped from the table as he leaned back, releasing my hand. “No wonder he flipped out when I took you away from the Crossroads. Those Russian fuckers are still after you, aren’t they?”
“Yes. That’s something only club members know. You can’t say anything, even to Rael.”
“Well, shit.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m not ever letting you out of my sight. Patriot is right. Your life is in danger and we’re gonna keep you safe. Whatever needs to be done, I’ll do it.”
“Oh no,” I argued, rising to my feet, “not you too.”
“Yep. You’re gonna have to deal with me being an overprotective ass like him.”
“Who’s an overprotective ass?” Patriot growled, glaring in Shadow’s direction.