Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

knew about it. They did everything they could to keep my father’s reputation and career intact, letting my kidnappers get away with it.”

“But what about…?”

“What?”

“What about Emma? The police must’ve been notified about her death.”

“They weren’t notified, because the kidnappers had disposed of her body somewhere.”

I cried out. She hadn’t even had a proper burial.

“Her grandmother wanted to bring those people to justice, but she had a stroke a few days after they released me. She died.”

I gave up on restraining myself and closed the distance between us. I brushed the remaining tears off my face as I placed my hand on his shoulder, remembering too late it was a wrong move.

He flinched and spun around to face me. “Fuck. Don’t touch me like that,” he hissed through his teeth. “Don’t ever touch my shoulder from behind.”

I cursed myself internally. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I won’t do it again.”

His brows drew tight. “I don’t like being touched like that. I can’t stand it.”

“Why?”

He inhaled a long breath and released it with a curse. “Because that’s how they got to me when they kidnapped us. Emma and I were walking together when someone approached us from behind and grabbed my shoulder before they knocked me unconscious. And now it’s my phobia. Just like the phobia of basements.”

I intertwined my fingers together. “I’m sorry, Blake. I wish there were something I could do to help—with your phobias, with everything. It sounds ridiculous because I know I can’t do anything, but still…I’m here if you need me.”

There was something in his eyes; it was like ice thawing in the sun, layer after layer. It held me still and left me short of breath.

“You’re here if I need you…even after everything I’ve done to you.” Slowly, he took my hand in his, never looking away from me. “I was such a fool. I did the worst things to you, and here you are, offering help to someone who doesn’t even deserve it.” He shook his head, smiling to himself, but the smile was self-reproaching. “All these years I’ve felt alone. I had family and friends, but they could never fill that void inside of me. I was always empty, but now, with you…”

I held my breath. “With me…?” I spurred him on, too curious to know.

“We were enemies. We have every reason not to be around each other. You have every reason to hate me. But right now, with you, I feel this is how it’s supposed to be.” He caressed my palm with his thumb. “And I like the feeling.”

I observed our connected hands. I had so many things I wanted to say, but the words were stuck in my throat. He was completely opening up to me, allowing me to see much more than I’d ever hoped for.

I cleared my throat. “I also can’t lie to you and say I’ve gotten over our past, because I haven’t gotten over all the things you’ve done. Some of my scars are still fresh, but all I knew until now was running away from you and blaming you. I don’t want to feel bitter any longer and let it poison me. So I want to start over. You can be sure I won’t betray you. I won’t tell anyone what you’ve just told me.”

A ghost of a smile appeared briefly on his face as he held my gaze. “I know. I knew it the moment you sang those words as you looked at me like I was your everything. In front of the whole school…so brave.”

I stopped breathing, growing hot under his eyes. I was taken back to that moment on the stage when we looked at each other, bound by something that was stronger than us or our past. We were both puppets of the irony that led our lives, for how could something so pure as my feelings for him come out of ugliness? How could my enemy turn into someone I wanted to protect?

“Why are you giving your heart to me? I don’t deserve you.” His words were laden with anguish.

I pulled my hand out of his, blushing. “It’s not like I chose this. I didn’t choose how I feel, but then again, I believe in second chances. I believe if you want to change, you deserve a second chance.”

The briefest glimpse of hope illuminated his face, but then his eyes darkened and he turned away. “It’s too late for a second chance.”

My breathing halted. “What do you mean by that?”

“I already told you about my promise. I intend to keep it.”

My heart squeezed hard. “You want to get revenge on your kidnappers.”

“Yes. They got away with it, but not anymore. I’ve been searching for them for years, and now that I finally found them, I’ll get justice for Emma.”

Fear invaded my every pore as my eyes followed the ridges of the tense muscles in his back. The scary voice deep within me told me this wouldn’t end well.

“That’s why you had those photos—you’re keeping tabs on them.” He nodded. “And that video? You were watching it that day. Why?”

He didn’t reply immediately. He took a deep breath in and gave me a searing gaze. “Because I started thinking about a certain girl a little too much, allowing myself to imagine things that aren’t in the cards for me.” My stomach gave a little jump. “I needed a reminder so I wouldn’t forget what’s the most important.”

Never forget.

“That’s why you wrote that note? Never forget?”

He nodded. I closed my eyes for a brief second. I wanted to revel in his words, but I didn’t let that distract me from the more pressing matter.

“So you’re going to get justice for Emma at the cost of your life? But what do you plan to do?”

The short silence that followed my words was like a premonition of the dark.

“I’ll go to their homes and kill them.”

I plastered my hands over my mouth, crying out. “No, you can’t be serious.”

He turned to face me. “I’m