Page 20 of Summer Ride

She could tell he was calculating. “I could move some things around. We can head out next weekend?” he suggested.

She smiled and nodded. “I can make that work.”

“I’ll message Damion and see if the place is available for us.” He linked his fingers with hers.

“Thanks,” she said, squeezing her hand lightly.

“You’re really freaked about that note?” he asked.

She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the stars. “Notes,” she corrected and then pulled the latest one from her pocket.

She was silent while he read it.

He held up the note. “Is this why you want to go away?”

“No, not really. I just… need time to think.”

“Are you ready to tell me more?” He waved the note. “Do you know who this is?”

She nodded and decided it was finally time. She could have happily kept her secrets from everyone for the rest of her life. But since it was obvious that she might be in danger now, she knew Carter had to be in on some of it.

Still, there were some things that she could keep hidden from him. Things that would change the way he looked at her. The way he felt about her.

Those things she wasn’t prepared to bring into the light just yet. Or maybe ever.

She stood up from the picnic table and walked a few feet in the sand until she was cast in shadows.

“His name is Axel.” She kept her back to him to avoid looking into his eyes. They would no doubt be filled with hurt in the coming moments.

Carter was quiet for a moment, then he moved beside her and took her hand in his. “An ex?”

Her head jerked towards him, as if stung. The memory and hurt of past betrayals almost split her willpower to tell him more.

“No,” she said, looking down at their joined hands and knowing her next words would change everything. “He was my pimp.”

Chapter Six

Carter’s entire body tensed and then he released her hand and turned her body towards his.

“Your…” he started.

“Pimp,” she finished for him, wrapping her arms around herself. He watched her sway a few times before she lifted her chin as if waiting for him to reject her. Waiting for what would never come.

He supposed he should have given her credit for not running away from him since he was probably giving her a very bad look. Then he remembered who he was talking to.

This was Kara.

The woman he’d known for almost six years. The woman he’d loved for almost that long.

He knew her better than he knew anyone else. Even his best friends.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. “Tell me everything.”

She leaned back and looked up at him. He watched her visibly swallow back tears. She was trying to hold her emotions inside.

“You aren’t running away,” she said softly.

He brushed his lips across hers softly. “No. Did you really think I would?”