The Secrets Behind Cries *Book 6 of the Köhler Series*

𝕿𝖊𝖓 |10

"When will Reece be home?" Nicole asked the Richard for the hundredth time that day. Nicole knew it was getting on his last nerve, but she was pissed. Reece had took her keys, making her stay in the house like a little child. After that he had to nerve to tell Nicki not to snoop around his house like that stopped her. Although now she wished she didn't because Nicole found his fucking playroom. Then again, Nicole liked some of the things she found there.

It was alright until, stick in the mud, Richard told Reece what Nicole had done. It wasn't her fault he didn't have all of his doors lock, so it made it free range. And he wanted to get mad yesterday because she painted his dogs' nails. They seemed to enjoy their playtime together. Nicole loved animals, just never had the chance to have one of her own.

"Mr. Gordon with be home within the hour, madam."

"Richard, if you don't start calling me Nicole, or Nicki, that is my name, not madam... you know what I'm going to cook...."

"Oh no, you are not. That is my job, and I've let you have my kitchen for the last two days. Not today," Ramona said, making Nicole sigh sitting at the island huffing as she laughed. She was bored and hasn't been to work since Monday. Now it was Friday night, and she knew Reece wasn't going to let her go to the club. Plus, Nicole didn't want to call Money because she knew he was about to tell her that her job was gone, but maybe it was time for a change, and about an hour and a half later, Reece walked in the door with his brother and Lance.

"Bout time. Can I have my keys?"

"No. Ramona, what did you cook?" He said, brushing her off. Nicole wanted to scream. Instead, she sat back down, glaring at him while his brother and Lance laughed.

"Well, can I have my phone?" Nicole asked as he handed her a brand-new phone. She looked up at him with a smile as she saw Ramona rolled her eyes looking back at him.

"Your favorite sir for a cold day like today. Beef stew and rice season just right."

"Which means no fucking seasoning," Nicole said, making the two fools laugh again as Ramona glared. Nicely she got up and walked over to the stove, adding some seasonings while Reece watched. Nicki cooked because this woman knew nothing of why all the seasonings in the kitchen were put there in the first place.

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"I thought you said she was shy," Greg said as Nicole sat in the living room with the dogs. She was rubbing their bellies as they begged for more.

"I never said that she was shy. I said, scared. There is nothing shy about what comes out of Nicole's mouth. I think the last few days here are letting her be herself. Something that he took from her. I need Nicole to open up to me before pursuing this relationship thing."

"Damn man, didn't she tell you her darkest secret? She was getting abused by her father. What more do you want?" Lance asked, making Reece stare over to him then to his brother waiting for the same answer.

"I want her to be her. Not the picture someone else painted of her, and that's going to take time. You have to understand that girl is lost. For four years of her life, maybe more. She's been abused by everyone she came in contact with. Her father used her as a payment tool for his addiction, and she allowed it because she thought it was the right thing to do. Quan used her fir sex. I want her to know this isn't what that is. I want her to want this relationship, not think that she's obligated to it because I helped her."

"In other words, you want her to fall in love with you and beg for it." Greg laughed, making Reece throw his water bottle at his fucking head. He was a jackass and knew it.