TWISTED FATE (Twisted Path Book 1)

Chapter 26

Shane

"Shane, you can't. Whatever you're thinking, you can't go against him. He's dangerous." Becca's voice trembles with desperation, and the look of sheer fear in her eyes only strengthens my resolve to do exactly that—end this, whatever it takes. She's mine to love and protect, and I refuse to let Amanda or her father anywhere near her.

Suddenly realizing my reaction might be making things worse, I kneel in front of her and take her hands in mine. "I have a friend who can help us. Someone discreet, someone I trust completely. About a year ago, Charles Kline set a plan into motion that hurt someone close to Nick and Cedric—he stepped in to help us. He and his friends shut it down and neutralized Charles. He can help us do it again."

"How?' she whispers, her voice quivering. "He's capable of anything."

"I know." I tuck a loose strand of her damp hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering against her warm skin as I take in the softness of her flesh. It sparks an ache inside me, a longing for a world where none of this chaos exists so we can focus solely on ourselves and the relationship we're building.

"I promise you, pretty girl, Cedric has his ways. Plus, I'm a Montgomery. Charles might have money, but he lacks the power and influence my family name carries. That's why he wants me to marry Amanda. The Kline name lacks legitimacy in our circles. He's hoping that joining our two families will gain him the respect he's so desperate for."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," she admits, voice fraught with worry. "Look at what he did to my mother. That man has proven he'll do anything to get what he wants."

"You're right," I concede, gently squeezing her hand. "But you have something your mother didn't—you have me. I'm heir to the Montgomery legacy. Outside of the Matthews, we're the one family Charles is truly afraid of, or at least feels forced to respect."

Her beautiful hazel eyes brim with a sad resignation that punches straight through me. She truly believes there's no hope, and the weight of that knowledge tears at my heart. But it also ignites a fire of determination in my gut. When it comes to us—Becca, me, what we share—Charles Kline will not win.

"It might take a bit of time, but I promise I will protect you. Us. Once I have what I need, I'll take the information to my father and broker a deal—an agreement ensuring your safety and giving us the freedom to be together without conditions. I don't know exactly how yet, but I'll find the right leverage to make my father agree and force Charles Kline to back off. All I need is a bit of time and for you to trust me."

She nods. "I do trust you. It's him I don't trust, Shane. That man is pure evil."

"I know exactly who he is," I assure her. "Which is why I'll never underestimate him. When I tell you I have people who I trust, people who've been watching him for years and are eager to help us, I mean it. I've already reached out to my contact and got the ball rolling."

Her eyes snap to mine, wide with surprise. "You knew?"

Knowing she's misreading the situation, I shake my head. "No. But the minute I heard your voicemail tonight, I had a feeling. While I was over here earlier in the week..." I let out a sigh, still inwardly kicking myself for not protecting her better. "Charles saw my car parked out front and called my father. That's why, before you gave me access to the garage, I stopped driving over here."

"So Amanda was right. He knows," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He suspects." I clarify, giving her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her. "When I got home that night, Dad confronted me, and I told him I was here for a peer advisory study session." I pause, looking at her sheepishly and hating that I lied. "You said you wanted to keep our relationship a secret, and I was trying to respect that. Otherwise, I swear I would have told him the truth."