Page 47 of Explosive Union

“Andrews, get over here and hold her down,” he instructs the moron in the corner, who’s watching like a hawk.

Bile rises up my throat as both men hold me, their filthy hands running over my body, their breaths hard and fast as they struggle to keep me down. Greaves’ dirty hands are at my pants, pulling them off my body. All the while, Andrews keeps me held down.

This is their usual MO. They like to take turns. The men know I’ll never be able to fight the two of them off at once. Whereas, if they came for me alone, there’s a good chance they’d be battered and bruised—hell, possibly even dead—which would mean I’d end up doing more time and there’d be a lot of questions asked about what was going on.

The sound of a belt buckle being undone has me tensing. My skin feels clammy and wet. I know what’s coming. Sick bastards. I can’t do anything other than take what they’re about to do to me. I wish I could. God, I’d love nothing more than to snap their necks.

Not yet, Jade, I say to myself.Their time will come.

“You know something, Gallagher, you may just be my favorite.” Greaves smirks as he reaches for a condom. The crinkling of the wrapper sets me on edge, as it always does.

“You’re a dead man, Greaves,” I growl as I try to get up, but Andrews holds me down, his hands tight on my shoulders. It makes a change that he’s not groping me while Greaves has his way with me.

“So you keep saying, but it’s been years and not a thing has been done. You’re not going to tell anyone,” he says triumphantly.

Oh, but that is where he’s wrong. My family already knows, no matter how much I didn’t want them to. Granda has an informant in here and they’ve told him what’s been going on. I’ve made him promise me not to let anyone kill them. That’s my job. The moment I’m out of this hellhole, I’m coming for them.

Meaty hands grip my thighs. “Andrews, why not shove your cock into her mouth, have her shut up for once?”

I cry out as Greaves thrusts hard into me.

I’ve another two years to survive this. I’m not sure if I really can.

I gasp, my eyes opening as I bolt upright, my hand fumbling for the nightlight. The moment I find it, I hit it and the room illuminates. I cling to the brightness, hoping it’ll push back the demons I’ve tried so hard to hide.

Another one. Yet another nightmare.

My body drenched in sweat, my face soaked with tears, and my body shaken, I try to even my breaths, but it’s no use. I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them, slowly rocking as I do, hoping to bring me from the darkness of the past.

Every night since I’ve come home. No matter what happens, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over what’s happened.

Fake it until you make it.

That’s my motto. I’ve two more bastards to take down. Then, only then, can I start to rebuild what I lost while I was inside.

CHAPTER13

ROCCO

“Want to tell me what the hell she’s doing here?” my father growls as we enter the gala. This is a huge charity event that we attend yearly. Tonight, though, my father’s on edge, and now he’s beyond pissed.

“Who?” I ask.

“Your floozy,” my mom replies with a distasteful snarl on her face. “Seriously, Rocco, what the hell are you playing at? The Gallaghers will be in attendance this evening and having you and that woman here is not the best way to ensure your marriage to Jade goes off smoothly.”

I glance around the room, and of course, the woman in question is making a beeline for me.

“I didn’t know she was going to be here,” I growl, pissed that Monica is here. “I’m not fucking stupid. I ended things with her.”

Mom nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “See that she knows that.”

“Son, she has a choice. Accept that you’re over or she’ll face the wrath of me,” my father hisses.

I nod and take a step forward. Of course, this makes Monica smile. She looks good, as she always does. Not a hair out of place. Her blonde hair is tied up in a perfect style, her navy blue dress fits her to perfection, and she’s wearing heels that puts her at my shoulder. But I’m beyond pissed, especially after our discussion at the restaurant.

“You’re here,” she breathes as she closes the gap between us.

I sidestep her attempt at hugging me. “I am, and what are you doing here? I told you, Monica, that it’s over, so what the fuck are you playing at?”