“I was released after two days and we had her funeral. Dad and I stayed in a hotel; we never went back to that house. We had a moving company pack our things and we moved here away from it all.” I blow my nose and take a deep breath before it’s all out. “Two weeks after my mother’s funeral, I received a letter from Justin. He told me about his brother being in a gang and how his brother wanted him to be a part of it. About the initiation and how I was the one chosen for him. He went on to tell me that the more time he spent with me, the more he liked me and grew to love me. That when it came time to do the deed and tape it, he backed out. His brother was pissed and beat the shit out of him. That’s why he couldn’t see me. I would have asked questions. His brother decided to do it himself. He came after me and killed my mother,” I say.

“Kensington, I am sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine going through that. You know that it wasn’t your fault, right? There was nothing you could have done to prevent any of that from happening. He was a bad guy. Bad things happen to good people. You are not to blame,” she tells me.

My phone beeps. Picking it up, I swipe the screen.

Maxton: One more hour. Miss you, be safe.

Shit! My confession is going to set us back a good twenty minutes. Wiping my eyes, I quickly text him back.

Me: Slight delay, girl talk. See you in an hour and twenty

Maxton: Are you good, babe?

Me: Yes, we are on the road and I’m on my way to you.

Maxton: Drive safe.

“We better get back on the road and put him out of his misery,” Nicole jokes.

I laugh with her at his unnecessary worry and pull back onto the road. I feel a little lighter telling Nicole the entire story. Now Maxton. Someday soon, I tell myself. Soon.

“MAX, MAN, CHILL. I just talked to Nic and they’re almost here,” Bright chides me. I can’t seem to relax. It’s irrational, but something feels… off. Bright and I got here, unloaded the quads, and hung out with the guys for a few hours. They all took their girls into town for dinner. They’re bringing back a pizza for the four of us.

Just when I think I can’t take it anymore, my phone chimes.

Kensington: Just pulled in

I don’t bother to reply. I slide my phone in my pocket and head out to the front door. Bright is hot on my heels. He said I was crazy, but even he was a little worried at their late arrival. I jog down the steps and reach her door as she climbs out. I lift her up and she wraps legs around my waist, holding on. I kiss her, slowly molding my lips with hers. “I missed you, Kens.”

“I missed you too, Maxton Cooper.”

“I love you.” There is no way I could hold it in a minute longer. I hope she forgives me for blurting it out.

“Maxton.” Tears fill her already red eyes; she looks tired. “I love you so much,” she sobs, burying her face in my neck. Her legs are locked tight around my waist, and I hold her against me. I carry her to the porch and sit down with her in my lap.

“Why the tears?” I ask her.

“It’s just been a long day. I told Nicole about my mom on the way here. We had to pull over because I was a blubbering mess.” She sniffs.

“You told Nicole?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes, and I promise I’ll tell you too as soon as we get home. I don’t want secrets between us. If you still feel the same about me after you know, then I’m yours for as long as you want me,” she says.

“Kensington, there is nothing you could tell me that would ever make me not love you. Not want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up with you in the same spot. Nothing, do you hear me? Nothing will change how I feel about you.”

“When we get home,” she says. “I just want this weekend with you, and then I will tell you everything.”

“Whenever you’re ready, Kensi. I’m not going anywhere, babe.”

She sits back on my lap, her tired eyes boring into mine. “I love you.”

My fucking chest is tight from those three little words. “I love you.” I kiss her again, and if it were not for the car I just heard pull up, I would still be kissing her. Instead, I release her lips and help her stand. It’s time to introduce the love of my life to some lifelong friends. “There are some people I want you to meet.” She nods and releases her legs from around my waist and slides to the ground. Part of me wanted to just introduce her clinging to me like a monkey. She fucking loves me. Best feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Instead, I pull her close and wrap my arm around her.

She turns to the group that just walked up to us and I start at the left. “Kens, this is Mark and his girl Tabby. This is Rick and his girl Sara, and this is—”

“Justin,” she croaks out. I feel her immediately stiffen in my arms.

“Kensington,” Justin breathes her name like he can’t believe she’s here. He fucking knows who she is?

My mind is racing. How do the two of them know each other? I focus on her. “Kens, baby, what’s wrong?” I whisper the words close to her ear. She shakes her head no. Her eyes are wide and full of pain and fear? “Kens, you’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s wrong?” I watch as huge tears fall over her cheeks and my heart aches for the pain she’s in. Not getting answers from her, I turn to JT. “How the fuck do you know her?” I yell at him. The scar on her chest runs through my mind. She’s been hurt and she’s afraid of someone; she’s afraid now.

“What the fuck did you do to her?” I take two steps and I’m up in his face. I grab him by the collar and slam him against the side of the house. “You better start fucking talking, JT.” That’s when it hits me; Justin her ex. “You, you were her ex from high school.” I try to remember all I know of what he told me about what happened back then, but rage blinds me. I can see nothing but the huge tears rolling over her cheeks and the pain and fear in her eyes. I slam him against the house and get in his face. “Tell me what you did to her!”

“Maxton!” I hear Bright yelling for me. He probably thinks I’m off my rocker jealous. I’m that too, but right now, I’m fucking livid. I ignore him as I stare JT in the eyes; my fist clenching his shirt is making it hard for him to breathe.

“Maxton!” This time I feel his hand land on my shoulder and he tugs. “Maxton, Kensington. You need to let him go.” He’s frantic. I release my grip when I hear her name. I look over my shoulder and Bright’s face is pained. “She left, Max. She took off running for her car. I didn’t get out here in time to stop her.” I turn back to JT and throw a right hook into his nose. I release him and he slides to the ground, using the house as his crutch.

I turn back to Bright. “Which way did she go?” I ask.

It’s Mark who answers. “She hopped in her car and tore out of the driveway; she headed toward town.”

I hear Bright murmur and see he’s trying to console Nicole. I walk to her and pull her from him and into my arms. “Nic, I need you to tell me what you know.” My voice is pleading.

“Oh, Maxton, she just told me. Today on the way here, she told me. Justin, he’s her ex. Oh, God, she was so upset; we have to find her,” she cries.

I realize I’m not going to get anything out of her. She’s too upset and we don’t have time. I need to get on the road. “Come on, man.” Bright holds the keys to the truck in the air. I nod and take off in a dead run to the truck. Bright and Nicole are right behind me. We are loaded up and peel out within seconds. Bright heads toward the way Mark said she went while I call her cell repeatedly. She’s not picking up.