Page 22 of Broken By The Devil

“Before she left, she said, if I was reacting this way now, that it scared her to think of what I might do when I learn the truth,” I reiterate to Cyrus. He’s contemplating, just like I am, what could be worse than someone physically hurting her.

“It’s going to be bad Kade. There’s a reason she can’t say anything, and if she’s being blackmailed on top of that, we need to prepare ourselves. You more than anyone else. You care about her a lot more than you’re willing to admit,” Cyrus advises.

“If there is one thing I do know, whoever is doing this to her…will not see the inside of a jail cell. He will not have that luxury,” I declare. They want to choke her? Leave marks on her? Make her vulnerable? They don’t know what’s coming for them.

EMILIA

Ilayer makeup over my neck, hoping it will offer some element of coverage. The dress I chose will not cover them. I chose it because of its revealing nature to piss off Tom. I knew it would come back on me somehow.

I didn’t expect Kade to react that way. It wasn’t the violence that scared me. It was the idea that he could care that much for me that he punched a hole in the wall. He has always been composed, laid back but when he saw the bruises, he lost all elements of self-control.

A knock on the door draws my attention, so I go to open it. Cass and Cara barge their way into my apartment in a panic. They look frantic. They’re both looking me up and down, assessing me.

Cara starts explaining first, “Kade is livid Em. He tore his office to shreds—are you alright?” She places both of her hands on either side of my face, turning it side to side assessing me for injuries.

“Guy’s, I’m fine. It’s just a few bruises on my neck, I’m ok, honestly.” I try to placate them. At least I’ve done a good job at covering them. They didn’t notice until I mentioned them.

“Em…” Cass pleads. He looks like he has tears in his eyes, this isn’t like him. “Please, you have to tell Kade. You need help, help that we can’t give you. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t look at you with more bruises, I won’t. That bastard continues to hurt you, walks around like he’s invisible, all the while you’re walking around like an unfeeling machine,” he pleads.

“Please, Em, we’re begging you, tell Kade. He cares for you; he’ll do what we can’t,” Cara sobs. I brush her hair back from her face and wipe her tears away.

“I’m so sorry, to the both of you. I didn’t realise how hard it would be for you both when I told you. You’ve both been there for me when I had nobody. You’ve both been there despite who I am, despite what my life has brought you. I’m so sorry.” Silent tears falling down my cheeks. This time Cara is there for me, she wipes my tears and hugs me tight. Cass approaches us next and wraps us both in an embrace.

“I’m going to tell Kade…tonight,” I announce. They both pull back at the same time, relief flooding both of their faces. “I’m sick of feeling vulnerable. Enough is enough… I’ll tell him,” I promise.

“I need you both to do something for me,” I ask, knowing they’ll say yes. “I need you to distract Tom while I’m speaking to Kade. I can’t have him interrupting. I can’t be distracted while I tell Kade, otherwise I’ll never get the truth out—it’ll be too hard,” I admit.

“Of course we will. Anything you need, consider it done,” Cass proclaims. “You need to be careful with how Kade reacts. He had me up by my vest against the bookcase earlier when I refused to tell him,” he laughs.

“Only you would laugh at that, Cass.” Cara rolls her eyes and scoffs.

“I just think it’s funny that our sergeant is that hung up on our dear friend here that he turns into a feral animal at the sign of her hurt… I have a feeling I’m going to win the pool.” He chuckles.

“Wait, what pool?” I narrow my eyes on him in question.

“Oh there’s a pool going on as to when Kade will ask you to marry him,” he chuckles.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I look to Cara for confirmation and she nods. “I have ten months,” she announces. Not only has Cass placed a bet on this ridiculous notion, but so has Cara. I laugh in astonishment.

“I hate to disappoint you both, but there is no way that is going to happen. Kade doesn’t strike me as the marriage type,” I clarify.

“Girl, that man is in love with you, you just don’t want to admit it to yourself, and I don’t think he even knows himself. You’re both in complete denial that you’re a match made in heaven,” she jokes.

He’s not in love with me, there is no way. Everyone who loves me ends up getting taken from me. Cara almost died a few years ago, simply for loving me. That is why I put on the mask. If I don’t feel, everyone remains safe.

“Are you ready for this? Telling Kade I mean,” Cass asks.

“No, but I have to, I don’t have another option left.” I’m not giving up, I have to do this.

“Kade will kill him,” Cara states as fact.

“That’s what scares me,” I admit.

KADE

Who has a charity event on a fucking beach? The sand gets everywhere—in your shoes, in your food, and hair. I’m not in the mood to be here. I can’t stop thinking about her, the bruises on her neck, the way she looked at me when I punched the hole in the wall. I need a drink.

I head to the bar. Cyrus is already two drinks deep, and we’ve only been here five minutes, no shock there. The bar is a typical beach bar. It’s tiny with two bartenders manning it. There are at least thirty-five tables across the beach with a stage in front of them for the speeches.