It wasn’t my finest moment.
My voice cracks as I admit the truth to my brother. “I was waiting for Selena. I would have waited forever,” I truthfully admit. “And now she’s here, and I know she still loves me like I love her, and I think we might have a chance of mending our relationship.” I pin anguished eyes on my brother. “But if she finds out what I’ve done in the time we were apart, I’m afraid she’ll want nothing more to do with me.”
11
Selena
“I made coq au vin,” I tell the guys when they arrive downstairs an hour later. “It will be ready in thirty minutes.”
“It smells delicious,” Keanu says, smiling as he gives me a subtle nod, confirming he’s spoken to Kent and all is okay.
“It’s Mom’s recipe. I remember how much you loved it.” Heat creeps up my neck, onto my cheeks, and I drop my eyes to the floor.
“Sandrine’s parents were French,” Keanu tells Kent, tilting my face up with his finger. “And she’s the most exquisite cook. Sel too.” He softly cups my chin, his eyes conveying so much.
My heart grows wings, and I swoon at his complimentary words and his adoring gaze. I can’t believe I am here. That the time apart feels like it never happened. That he looks at me the same way. Like I’m his everything in the same way he is to me.
The doorbell chimes, snapping me out of my romantic daze, and I pull away from him.
“That must be Kev. I’ll let him in.”
I stand rooted to the spot, watching Keanu sprint across the open living space toward the front door, failing to disguise my blatant ogling. From the way he looks in his skintight jeans and tight Travis Scott T-shirt, which clings to his toned torso like a second skin, I’m practically frothing at the mouth. I thought Keanu only had tats on his lower arms, but the ink on his left arm now extends up under the edge of his shirt, indicating it stretches higher. I wonder if that’s a recent addition. I’ve never really been keen on tattoos, but Keanu has changed my mind.
Or maybe it’s just because the ink is on him. And he looks hot as fuck.
I didn’t think it was possible to lust after him more than I already did, but this more grown-up version has me weak at the knees. Keanu was a few months shy of his eighteenth birthday, and only really starting to grow into his body, when we broke up, but now, at almost twenty, he is definitely all man.
And my libido has most certainly noticed.
Which is a welcome new development—even if it terrifies me as much as it exhilarates me.
Taking back control of my sexuality is another challenge I must face. One I haven’t felt confident to tackle.
Until Keanu reentered my life.
It’s crazy how comfortable I feel with him after twenty-four hours in his presence. But, honestly, it’s like we were never apart.
A throat clearing draws my attention. “Selena.”
I pin cautious eyes on Kent, anxiety simmering in my chest, hoping he’s not going to discuss specifics.
“I’m so fucking sorry that happened to you, and I’m sorry if I’ve been an ass.”
He’s one hundred percent sincere, and I relax a smidgeon. “Thank you, and it’s okay. I can only imagine what you must have thought of me.” I cringe a little thinking back to the first couple of times I met Kent. How I stood there mute and frightened, clinging to Keanu and silently praying his brother would go away.
It’s a timely reminder of how far I’ve progressed.
“I didn’t know what to think,” he says, shoving his hands in the pockets of his loose-hanging sweats. “I didn’t understand it, but I do now.”
“I’m trying to deal with my illness. Trying to open up more.” I shrug, averting my eyes. “It’s a work in progress.”
“If I can help, you only have to ask.”
I look up at him. “Thank you, and the best thing you can do for me is to treat me like you would any other girl.”
His eyes pop wide, and I giggle. Yeah, I’m pretty sure Keanu would not appreciate Kent treating me like most of his girls. “Or maybe not.” My laughter fades. “I just don’t want any pity. I don’t want my past to define who I am anymore.”
“I think you’re so fucking brave, Selena. I could never pity you.”
Our eyes meet in shared understanding, and my heart stutters in my chest at what I see lurking behind his restrained smile. “Thank you.”
I gulp, and Kent looks away. “What are you two goons looking at?”
I whip my head around, spotting Keanu and an older version of him staring at Kent like he’s an apparition.
“Nothing much, jackass,” Keven says, running his eyes along his brother’s arms. “You got a fever or something?”
“Funny.” Kent pouts, crossing his arms and glaring at his older brother.
“Sel.” Keanu extends his arm, gesturing me forward. I step toward him, weaving my fingers in his. He pulls me slowly into his side. “This is my brother Keven.”
“It’s very nice to finally meet you, Selena,” Keven says, his voice radiating warmth like his kind smile.
“You too.” I lean into Keanu, smiling shyly at his hot, older brother. Although I’ve only met Kyler, Keaton, and Kent previously, I know all the Kennedy men are drop-dead gorgeous because there are photos of them plastered all over social media. They are a bit like living legends in the Boston area, and hearts break wherever they go. And even though Kyler, Kaden, and Keven have a different dad than Kalvin, Keanu, Kent, and Keaton, they are all so alike with their dark hair, blue eyes, masculine jawlines, and tall, ripped bodies.
The doorbell rings again, and it can only be Mom. “I’ll go.”
Keanu releases me.
“Check who it is before opening the door,” Kev advises.
“Selena is very security conscious,” Keanu says, his eyes following me to the door.
I check through the peephole and open the door to my mom. She steps inside, and I shut the door before giving her a brief hug.
“You holding up okay, sweetheart?” she asks, unwinding the silk scarf from around her neck.
“Yes. I spoke with Denise and Keanu, and I went swimming, and then, we hung out around here. I’m fine.” And I realize I am as the words leave my mouth, and I’m proud of myself.
“Sandrine.” Keanu hugs my mom. “These are my brothers Keven and Kent.”
Mom shakes both their hands. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about all of you from your mom.”
Keven and Kent trade surprised expressions.
“Ah, you’re not aware.” She removes her coat, and Keanu takes it from her, draping it over the back of a dining chair.
“Let’s sit.” Keanu ushers everyone to the couches, and I sink into the plush blue velvet, crushed to his side. Mom sits beside me, while Kev and Kent sit across from us.
“Your mother and I are good friends,” Mom explains. “She contributes significantly to my charity, and she has shown untold kindness to my daughter, as well as fulfilling one of Selena’s childhood dreams.”
“Selena always wanted to be a model,” Keanu confirms, jumping in before I can say it.
“It’s how they tricked us,” I croak. “The men who took us,” I elaborate, knotting and unknotting my hands. “They stopped us on the street in Phoenix and told us we could be models. Gave us a card. Told us not to tell our parents, and we stupidly agreed.”
Although, I remember wanting to tell my mom.
Feeling uneasy.
But Juanita was so excited. We had daydreamed about being models. About becoming the next Giselle Bundchen or Amber Valletta. So, I forced my gut instinct aside and went with my best friend that fateful day.
It was the last time I ever saw her. And not a day goes by I don’t wonder what happened to her.
Becoming a model has been bittersweet, because it was something Juanita and I had planned together. And it took a long time for me to agree to model for Kennedy Apparel, because the thought of random men getting off to pictures of me ha
s always made me sick. It’s why I never do lingerie or swimwear shoots—well, that and the obvious scars on my thighs, stomach, and chest—and another reason why I don’t do runway shows. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can pick and choose what shoots I commit to. Ironically, limiting myself to modeling with KA, and only with Keanu, elevated my status, and brands are clamoring to sign me. It wasn’t intentional. And I definitely didn’t want or ask for the attention, but it’s what has happened.
I was nervous about accepting Miranda Fanning’s offer to become the face of her new collection because this level of fame comes with a price. But Miranda is the hottest new designer in the industry, and it would’ve been career suicide to turn her down. Besides, she has an ex-military brother-in-law who suffers with PTSD, and she’s been supportive and accepting of my terms and conditions. I’m in safe hands with her and her team, and that is always half the battle for me.
But I’m concerned about the extra coverage and publicity, and I know it’s only a matter of time before that bastard Lawrence sees me on a billboard or in a magazine and figures out who I am.
I knew this day might come when I accepted such a high-profile campaign, but I can’t live my life in fear. I can’t continue to let those bastards control who I am and what I become. I did that for far too long. Both when I was imprisoned and in the years after my escape when I withdrew into myself and hid away from the world.
It has to end.
I can’t move forward until the past has been dealt with.
So even though I’m scared, one part of me is glad I stumbled across him at the casting call. Because now I have the upper hand. I know where he is. He doesn’t know where I am yet, and that gives us an advantage.
Whatever we decide today, I’m not backing down.
I’m ready to fight. To take back control of my future and to finally kill the hold those sick bastards have over me.
12
Keanu
“That was fantastic, Selena,” Keven says, patting his full stomach as he pushes his empty plate away. “You’ll have to email the recipe to Cheryl so I can bribe her into cooking it for me.”
“You’re welcome.” She beams from ear to ear, and I could kiss Kev. He’s been absolutely wonderful with her all night, and it warms my heart to see Selena like this. Yes, she’s still shy and quiet, and she still sits close to my side, looking to me for reassurance on occasion, but she’s comfortable around this table, laughing and looking relaxed, not stressed out or cowering behind me.
And I’m in awe of her.
Of how far she has come.
And I think I’m beginning to realize some truths.
Our breakup really had nothing to do with me.
She needed this. To find herself.
She moves to clear the table, but Kent and I won’t hear of it. House rules. She cooked. We clean. I escort her to the couch, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as she sits beside her mom, and Kev plonks his butt into one of the low armchairs.
“I like her,” Kent says, talking in hushed tones as we rinse and stack the dishwasher.
“I love her.” I’m not ashamed to admit it. For years, I told my family nothing about the girl who had captured my heart. Now, things have changed, and I’m not going to hide her or my feelings anymore.
“I know, bro. I always have.”
“I’m not letting her go this time,” I say, wiping down the counter. “Selena is it for me.”
Kent eyes me circumspectly. “You really mean that.”
I toss the damp dishcloth in the sink. “Yeah. I do.”
He thumps me in the shoulder. “Guess I’ve permanently lost my wingman, huh?”
“I was never a true wingman, and we both know it.”
“Yeah. You were a miserable fuck most of the time. I’ve seen you smile more this past twenty-four hours than I have in the last two years.”
“She makes my heart sing.”
He sticks two fingers in his mouth, gagging. “Fuck no. Not you too.” He shakes his head. “There is no one left. All my brothers have turned to the dark side.”
Only Kent could refer to love as a darkness. Like it’s an illness or something.
“Love isn’t a burden, bro. It’s the best feeling in the world. Even when the girl of your dreams yanks your beating heart out of your chest and stomps all over it, it’s still worth every ounce of pain. Wait and see. You’ll meet a girl, and she’ll nail your heart to the wall, and you’ll be powerless to do anything about it.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not gonna happen.”
“Why the hell not?” I grab two bottles of water out of the refrigerator while I eye my cynical brother.
“Because we both know I’ll somehow fuck it all up.” He walks off, plonking down on the couch across from the women, and I wonder what happened that he’s so hard on himself.
I sit down beside Selena, and I can’t contain my shit-eating grin when she automatically takes my hand and leans into my side.
Keven smiles, his eyes full of approval, before he sits up straighter in his chair. “Selena and Sandrine were just bringing me up to speed on Clive Lawrence.”
The smile drops off my face.
“I understand the need for the security detail after what happened yesterday, and I won’t lie about the risk.” He clasps his hands between his thighs. “I’m assigned to a high-profile team within the FBI investigating the criminal underbelly in MA. Since the death of Jeremy Garcia and the imprisonment of Daniel Stanten”—his nostrils flare at the mention of Cheryl’s ex-fiancé who turned out to be the illegitimate son of Carmine Mancusso, the capo crimini of a powerful New York gang—"a bloody battle for control of the streets has ensued. We have undercover agents infiltrating the various gangs vying for ultimate control, and these guys are into everything. Drugs. Guns.” His eyes flit to Selena. “Sex.”
Selena stiffens beside me, and I slide a protective arm around her shoulders, offering her support.
“I can’t go into the specifics, but Stanten was running a sex trafficking ring from Mexico and bringing girls illegally into Boston. Some were forced into prostitution here; others were sold. We’ve come across several organizations involved in other forms of sex trafficking. Mainly young girls and boys, and we’re building a case. But it’s slow, because evidence is lacking.”
He runs a hand through his hair, softening his expression as he eyeballs Selena. “Lawrence is on our radar, even more so since he established his new production company right here, but on the surface, he is squeaky clean. I think we might be able to help each other, but it would have to be done formally. I’d like your permission to speak to my boss. To see what protection he can offer you in exchange for your cooperation.”
“What good am I if there is no proof?” Selena asks. “It will be my word against his, and he has formidable friends. The men who frequented the island, the ones who bought girls to bring back to the US, were all wealthy, well-connected men. I only know this because Freddie loved to rub it in our faces. Telling us not to try and escape because these men were some of the most powerful figures and they had connections everywhere. That there was nowhere we could run, because they would always find us.”
That bastard Freddie really did a number on Selena. That was the main reason why she was terrified to step outside her own door for years. Why she was homeschooled with a private tutor rather than attending high school. Why my mom arranged private escort for her to and from modeling shoots. Why we mostly spent time at her house rather than going out on regular dates.
“We’ll find the proof, and I do have something I’d like to show you,” Kev says.
This is news to me, and he should’ve run it by me first. “Why am I only hearing about this now?” My tone is sharp on purpose.
“Honestly, I wasn’t going to go there, but I think Selena has a lot of the intel we’ve been searching for.”
“I don’t care,” I snap. “This isn’t about building the FBI’s case. It’s about
protecting Selena.”
“That is not what I meant, Keanu. Family is fucking everything to me, and I know that’s who Selena is to you. I will help you keep her safe.” He looks to Selena. “I’ve ordered a high-tech security system to install here. Keanu tells me you will be staying with him indefinitely?”
Her eyes widen as she stares at me, and I glower at Kev again. I never said indefinitely even though it’s what I want. But we haven’t discussed that yet, and I don’t want to scare her away. She’s agreed to stay here as long as that pervert is a threat.
“Uh, well…” Selena stammers, her cheeks burning up.
“I would like Selena to stay here until the threat has ended, but it’s ultimately her decision.” I drill Kev with a look that says “watch your fucking mouth.”
Her shoulders relax. “I’ll be staying here for the moment, but I will return to my mom’s house at some point.”
Keven looks to Sandrine. “With your permission, I’d like to install the same system at your house.”
“We have deadbolts on all the locks and windows and security cameras on the exterior and interior of the house,” Sandrine confirms. “I think we’re adequately covered.”
“Could I drop by sometime and inspect it? The latest systems are high-tech monitored systems that mean the police are notified immediately should anyone break in.”
“I don’t trust the cops,” Sandrine says. “And I certainly don’t want a system that notifies them if it’s someone on their payroll who is the threat.”
“You have specific cops you don’t trust, or it’s more of a general statement?” Kev asks.
“Boston has an extensive criminal history I’m fully familiar with. I know all the criminal organizations operating in our jurisdiction have cops on their payroll in most districts. That’s enough suspicion to tell me we need to steer clear of local police.”
Releasing Keanu Page 9
