Free Broken In Pieces: Billionaire Stepbrother Romance (Wounded Hearts Book 1) by Sierra Rayne Page B

tell her that I was raped by Jarrod Davis. Once I start talking, it just all comes out. It’s as though I am purging myself of all the hurt and pain and I don’t want to stop. I tell her about the night it happened. I tell her how Mother exiled me here. I tell her that he is in New York now and working at Hawthorne Heights. She doesn’t say a word but I feel her body tense as she hugs me tight and the tears begin to stream down her face.
    “I’m the dirty little secret and the devil has followed me here,” I sob.
    “You’re not a dirty little secret and to hell with those who’ve made you feel this way,” she insists through her tears. “He’s a motherfucker who should be in prison being raped nightly by his cell mate. Sheridan, you have to tell Blade. You have to,” she says.
    “No! No! No one else can know. No one,” I sob. She holds me tight and lets me cry until I can’t cry anymore. I’m tired. I just want to sleep.
    Just before I fall off, she whispers, “We will talk about this later but you are going to have to tell him so he can get rid of that motherfucker.”
    It’s morning and I wake with a horrible headache. I go to the bathroom for some Tylenol and am once again caught by my reflection in the mirror. I feel relieved that I’ve told Donna but I still look at myself and don’t know who I am. Does this ever end? Will anything ever be the same again? Donna must have heard me moving around and she’s come to find me in the bathroom. “Come on, I have your breakfast ready,” she gently takes me by the hand and leads me to the kitchen.
    We sit and eat quietly at first, and then she reaches for my hand, “Sheridan, I love you with all my heart. You have done nothing wrong. This is Jarrod’s evil, not yours. You’re going to have to talk to Blade. You can’t go into that office every day and take the chance of seeing that, lower than a snake’s belly, son of a bitch.”
    I take a deep breath, “I know I can’t but I can’t tell Blade either. I may have to quit my job.”
    I see the fire in her eyes rise, “He has taken enough from you. You can’t allow him to take one more thing. You have to take your life back.”
    On the ride to work, we don’t talk much. She pulls up to the front door to drop me off, “Sher, remember I love you and you have done no wrong.” I smile and nod, then turn and enter the building. As I walk through the doors, a chill runs down my spine. I walk to a wall and lean against it until I gather myself. I don’t know if I can do this. I have to be strong. I have to act as if nothing’s wrong. Donna’s right, I can’t let him take anything else from me. I feel the strength come back into my body so I head for the elevator.
    I enter Blades office with his coffee. “Sheridan, what the hell are you doing here? You should be home resting,” he practically leaps from his chair.
    “I’m fine, really. No need to worry,” I insist.
    “You look pale. You shouldn’t have come in today,” he takes my hand and leads me to the couch.
    “I’m good today. I have work to do and I have practice this evening,” I say as he brushes my hair back behind my ear.
    “You’re going to practice?”
    “Yes and Donna’s going with me so if you have something to do…,” but he doesn’t let me finish.
    “Oh no, baby girl. I’ll be right there with you.” I don’t argue because I just don’t have it in me.
    About an hour later, there she is. That fucking Bridgette’s stepping off the elevator and I’m in no mood for her shit. She’s headed straight for Blade’s door so I place myself in the doorway. “Can I help you?” She stops in her tracks and looks me up and down with disgust. “Can. I. Help. You?” I repeat slowly, as if she’s deaf.
    “I’m here to see Blade,” she barks.
    “If you’ll have a seat, I’ll be more than glad to see if Mr. Hawthorne’s available,” I give her a mocking smile. She acts exasperated but heads back to the waiting area. I