Chapter 8

Emma's Secrets Unravel

There were jagged edges in the past, and every time Jake pressed me for clarification, those edges punctured my own heart more deeply. He looked at me with frustration and desperation in his eyes. He wanted to know why I had escaped, and why I had disappeared. Still, the reality was a prison I had built for myself, and I didn't want to return to it.

When Jake remarked, "You keep running away from me, Emma," his voice was tinged with anger, but it also had a raw quality. "Why is that?"

For a moment, I clenched my fists and hoped that my body was going to cease trembling. How should I explain it to him? How could I reveal the nightmare I had experienced? The choice I had to make was terrible, the fear, the lies.

I had run too long, though. He was determined not to let me get away this time.

"Tell me," he commanded, drawing forward. "Explain to me why you actually left."

My eyes had been pressed shut, and I took a deep breath. Jake, you weren't the only one. You weren't alone.

A shadow moved across his face. "So who?"

As I said, "My father," my heart raced between my ribs.

Jake's expression changed from anger to doubt. “Your dad?”

With my throat tightening, I nodded. "Jake he sold me." To a man more awful than you had ever imagined.

His whole body tensed, as though the words had actually sounded. How in the heck are you discussing this?

I felt tears in my eyes. I had never discussed it before. Keep the tragedy out of my mind. However, the time had arrived. The truth must be spoken.

"My father lost everything in a gambling spree. His wealth, his honor. All of it. And he made an agreement when he was at his lowest. As I spoke, my breath came in short gasps. "I was sold to Victor Alessi by him."

Jake's face became confused. “Alessi? "The lord of crime?"

I swallowed forcefully. "Yes,"

His fists clenched, and his eyes blazed with anger. "That idiot—"

In a broken voice, I added, "I was just a pawn to my father." And when I discovered I was expecting, I knew I had to get away. Not just him, but Alessi as well. If he learned of the twins...

With a loud gasp, Jake's whole body went rigid. “Twins?”

I stopped. It was out, the secret I had so carefully guarded.

His speech was taut, his eyes piercing me. "You were bearing my kids?"

The weight of his attention made my body tremble and my legs feel weak. "Yes,"

His face flashed with something: shock, confusion, destruction. And then rage. "You didn't share them with me?"

I let the tears fall and shook my head. "I was at a loss for options. Had Alessi known I was expecting, he would have taken them for himself. I needed to run. I have to stand up for them.

Between us, silence lingered, containing all that could not be expressed. Jake's hands trembled as his breathing came in fits. “Where are they?”

I was hesitant. The truth was previously known, but the last piece was still unknown.

I was about to respond when a sound interrupted, ruining the moment. From the darkness came a harsh, threatening voice.

With a drawl, the speaker said, "Well, well, well." "Emma, you seem to have been hiding things."

I felt my blood freeze.

Jake spun around, his body tensing up.

Victor Alessi was standing there in the doorway.

I was a victim of the past.

Before I could react, Jake made a move. He tensed up, moving like a shield in front of me. However, I was aware that Alessi posed more than a mere threat. He was a shadow-dwelling monster, and no one who stood in his way ever survived unharmed.

Jake said in a sneering whisper, "Alessi." "You have no right to be here."

With a gleam in his dark eyes, Alessi grinned. "Oh, but I ought to. Emma is mine, you see.

I swallowed forcefully. "You do not own me."

He sneered more. "Your dad had a different opinion."

The air became heavy with fear as Jake clutched his hands. "She didn't make that bargain."

Alessi turned her attention to Jake and gave him a rating before turning back to me. "Emma, you can run once. An idiotic error. However, you stole something I owned.

It made my stomach turn. As of yet, he was unaware of the twins. I was certain, however, that he had suspicions.

Jake moved forward. "She has nothing to repay you."

Even though Alessi's eyes darkened, his smile remained constant. "That's where you're incorrect. Her father still owes money, you see. And there is a cost.

My ears were racing with my heartbeat. "I will never be touched by you again."

Alessi bowed his head, staring at me with silent gratification. "You look so certain."

I started to move, but he snapped his fingers. When two males entered the room, my blood froze in response.

"Grab her," Alessi ordered.

Jake leaped first, slamming his fist into the chin of the closest man. There was mayhem. Alessi's men surrounded Jake as I staggered back, my heart pounding.

I was yanked back by a hand grabbing my wrist. As I turned to see Alessi's sneer, I gasped.

"Pretty, the game is over."

The world then darkened.