Chapter 35: Redemption

KIANA

^PRESENT DAY^

The pain of memory seemed endless. The emotional wounds cut so deep it felt like they would never fade.

Or so I’d once believed. But that was before Chase had started helping me heal. ~Chase~ The thought of him was like a lifeline.

“Kiana.” His voice reached out to me, bringing me back to the present.

My eyes were squeezed shut, my body shaking with terror.

“Breathe. Just focus on me,” Chase urged, extending his hands toward me.

I managed a nod and did as he instructed. I concentrated on him, and my trembling eased slightly; my fear lessened.

I was tired of Cooper’s control over me. When would his power over me finally cease?!

I never wanted to feel this way again!

The scar he’d etched into my heart and the one on my chest may never fade, but I’d be damned if I let them rule my life.

I felt something in me snap.

I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was angry, vengeful, and full of hate.

I balled my hand into a fist and struck hard between Cooper’s legs.

He released me, doubling over in pain.

I ran toward Chase, Cooper stumbling after me. He tried to grab me, but Chase tackled him to the ground before he could.

I watched as Chase’s fists connected with Cooper’s face. A weight lifted from my chest while watching my tormentor at the mercy of someone stronger than him. But I didn’t want Cooper to die.

~No.~

I wanted him to live.

I wanted him to suffer as he deserved. As I had suffered.

I gently touched Chase’s shoulder as he prepared to land another punch. He flinched, his fist halting midair.

“That’s enough, Chase,” I whispered, my voice raw from crying.

He took several deep breaths and then stood. His fists were battered and bloody. ~Cooper’s blood.~

I heard a gurgling sound as Cooper coughed up more bright red blood. He cackled, turning his face toward me.

“You think you’ve won?” His face was a bloody mess. Cuts adorned his swollen skin.

Chase crouched down to his level and said, “I haven’t even started on giving you what you deserve. More is coming. Don’t worry. I hear prison has a soft spot for rapists.”

Now it was Cooper’s turn to be afraid. His lips tightened into a thin line as he frowned.

Chase dialed a number on his phone. I assumed it was the police because, soon after, two police cars and an ambulance arrived.

We’d been so distracted that we didn’t even notice when Joanna disappeared. Honestly, neither of us could care about her in that moment. She would get what was coming one way or another.

The police saw Cooper and then looked between Chase and me. We gave our accounts of what had happened, claiming self-defense—which it was.

Chase told the police that he’d hired a guard who would be able to provide more information. Then he gave them his personal number and agreed that we’d be available for future questioning.

After that assurance, they released us to the EMTs, who assessed us for injuries before clearing us to leave.

Cooper was taken away in an ambulance. He’d be going to jail after his injuries were treated. Finally, justice would be served.

I wrapped my arms around myself, watching the vehicles drive away. Chase came up behind me and wrapped me in his embrace.

He didn’t say anything, and that’s exactly what I needed. I just needed him to be there. I didn’t want to talk anymore. I just wanted him to hold me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, caressing my cheek once we had settled into his car.

“No. But I will be.” I smiled.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked, glancing at me from the driver’s seat.

“Home,” I replied.

He sighed quietly, then said, “Sure. I’ll take you home. But you have to promise to call me if you need anything.”

I gently placed my hand on his forearm. He turned to me, waiting for me to speak.

“I meant your place,” I said softly, my cheeks flushing.

I saw a change in his eyes as he realized I’d referred to his home as mine.

“Of course.” He smiled as he shifted the car into drive.

KENZO

I saw everything…

Cooper didn’t know I had cameras in all of my warehouses, ~but I did.~

I heard what he’d done to my daughter. He was supposed to protect her, but he’d betrayed my trust and hurt my darling Rose. I wouldn’t stand for it.

If it hadn’t been for that other man, Chase, I didn’t know what would have happened.

~Maybe I’ll let him off easy as a way of saying thanks.~

“What’s the next move, Boss?” one of my men asked.

“Track Cooper down and bring him to me. You might have to spring him from jail to do it,” I instructed, savoring the sharp bite of my whiskey.

“Understood, Boss.”

I craved vengeance. I wanted him to suffer for his actions.

I would always stand up for Rose, even if she loathed me to her core.

She was my kin, my heir. And sooner or later, she would have to come to terms with that.

CHASE

Once we were home, Kiana was adamant she wanted a bath. The medics told me she had a minor injury on her side and her scalp from that monster’s fingers, but aside from that, she was unharmed.

“Do you want me to leave?” I asked as she began to strip. I silently hated that I didn’t know how to act around her right now. Did she want to be alone? Did she want me to stay?

“Join me?” she asked softly before sinking into the bath.

“Your wish is my command.” I smiled, turning on my charm before stripping and settling behind her in the tub.

I picked up the washcloth, rubbing slow, gentle circles along her skin as she leaned back against my chest. I slid it along her side, where a bruise was already beginning to form. I couldn’t help but groan at the sight, knowing that ~thing~ had hurt her again.

I had barely given him a few scrapes in return. I only stopped my assault because she asked. If anyone else had tried, I don’t know how far I would have gone before I pried myself away from him.

Her hand fell on top of mine, gently squeezing.

“I’m okay, Chase.” I hadn’t realized my hand had stopped moving, and I was now punishing the cloth with a deathly grip.

“Sorry.” I sighed, releasing the cloth.

“I think I’m ready for bed.” She yawned, leaving a lingering peck against the curve of my jaw before she stood.

I followed behind, beating her to the towel rack and swathing her like a child as I scooped her up in my arms.

She giggled, which happily surprised me. She usually protested at being carried.

I lay her in the bed before tugging one of my shirts over her head and letting it fall to her knees.

As I tucked her in, she glanced at me with sleepy eyes. “Are you not joining me?”

“I have one more thing I need to take care of first.”

She shot me a frown, one that I couldn’t say no to. “I can stay until you fall asleep?”

She nodded eagerly and I settled beside her beneath the sheets. She cuddled my chest, nuzzling into my warmth as I slid an arm around her and waited until soft, gentle breathing indicated she was fast asleep.

I quietly got up and left the room so as not to wake her, then immediately dialed Lucas’s number.

“Hey, I heard a little of what happened. Did you catch the fucker?” he asked, sounding as pissed as I felt.

“Yeah, it’s been dealt with. He’s in police custody. I need a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Get in touch with Jackson. I need to have a word with him sooner rather than later. It’s important, so no isn’t an option.”

“Will do,” Lucas replied. “I take it you won’t be in tomorrow?”

“No, I’ll have the next few days off. Take care of things for me?” I replied.

“You betcha.”

“Great. Let me know when it’s done. And Lucas—thanks,” I said, knowing I didn’t say it enough.

“No problem, bro. Just take it easy,” he said before ending the call.

Jackson didn’t yet know about his son, but he would soon enough.

~I need to know where his loyalties lie.~