Page 22 of Unchained

“You need to take your hands off my sister.” His gun is pointed right at Trevor’s forehead. And when I hear the click of a trigger, my mind snaps.

“He saved me, Bryce. That man was trying to rape and kill me, and Trevor saved my life.”

He looks from me to the man holding me. “He’s dangerous, Ems. He killed a woman.”

“No, he didn’t,” Shayla says, coming to my brother’s side. “Rodriguez killed her and then pinned it on my brother. I was there when he killed her. It was a warning of what would happen to me if I ever crossed him.”

My brother looks shocked by everything he’s hearing. His radio goes off on his chest. The cop on the other end saying they found Diego Montoya dead in his home. “Bring Rodriguez in. We finally got him on murder, Bryson.”

My brother doesn’t answer the radio. He’s still looking lost over what is happening.

“Look at me, baby.”

I turn toward Trevor.

“Your brother needs to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.” I nod. “Thank you for saving me.”

“Emberly, what the hell is going on?”

Bryson no longer sounds confused, but furious. I realize I have a lot of explaining to do.

“I…um…please don’t be mad at me, Bryce. Rodriguez was responsible for all of it. He hurt them. And I wanted to help them. I’m sorry. I…”

He shakes his head. “You’ve been hiding him this entire time?”

“I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me. He’s a good man, Bryson.”

“My uncle never hurt anyone.” Kai’s voice has me turning. He spoke so clearly. He spoke to my brother. “That man hurt my mom. He killed many people. And he was going to kill Emberly. My uncle is a good guy, Officer. He saved us from the monster.”

Another tear slips down my cheek.

“Kai, it’s all going to be okay.” Shayla snatches him up in a hug, sobbing. I can’t imagine the torture she’s been living through, blaming herself for bringing Rodriguez into her boy’s life.

I climb from Trevor’s lap and step up to my brother. “Believe me when I say this, Bryce. He isn’t going to hurt anyone.”

My brother’s arms wrap around me then pull me toward him. “I went into a complete panic when I saw your car in the driveway, Em. It nearly gave me a heartattack when I heard the shot. I’m so fucking thankful you’re okay.”

I hug him tight, thankful for so many things right now. When he finally pulls back, he looks me over again. “Thank you,” he says, looking over my head at the one who saved me. “Thank you for saving her life.”

“Would never let anything happen to her.”

I turn my head, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. He does care about me. And when his chin tips, I know exactly what he’s signaling.

“And I promise never to let anything happen to your family,” my brother says. “But I have to do my job. I’m gonna have to take you back in.”

I pull out of Bryson’s hold, shaking my head. “No. He’s innocent. You just heard the truth. You can’t arrest him. He was wrongfully accused.” He can’t take him away from me. I love him.

“I believe him, sis, but it’s the law. But I promise, I’m going to do whatever I can to prove his innocence and make things right.”

“No, Bryce!” I shout, rushing to Trevor and guarding him with my body. “I won’t let you take him from me.”

“Baby.” Trevor’s voice hits my ear, and I turn to look at him. “He has to, hun. He’ll get into big trouble if he doesn’t. It’s the way it needs to be.”

“But…I…” I’m going to say it again whether he feels the same or not. “I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”

His hand brushes down my cheek. “I love you too, princess. Love you so damn much. But if I’m going to ever have a chance of walking free so I can walk down the aisle with you, then I need to go with him.”