Don't Say Goodbye (Navy Book 2)

Chapter 11

Charlie held it together until she was safely in her room. Then the tears started and wouldn't stop. She had so many emotions coursing through her and she didn't know which was the strongest. She finally landed on anger. She felt angry that her mother put her in the position she did, she felt angry that Brad still felt that he had done nothing wrong, she felt angry that her mother hadn't chosen her side.

She was angry that Brad had taken her ability to trust and love from her as well as her innocence.

It seemed sad that a man she had only known a short while and his friends were the ones to step up and help protect her from Brad when her own family wouldn't.

Charlie didn't know how long she lay on her bed crying, but eventually she heard a knock on her door. It was the first time anyone had ever knocked on her door and it took her by surprise.

She had just decided to ignore it when there was another knock and she slowly got up and moved towards the door. "Who is it?" she called.

"Kellan, and you should probably let me in before I'm seen if you want to keep your reputation intact." Charlie hurriedly opened the door and was shocked to see Hilliard standing there in a baseball cap and dark sunglasses.

She stood aside as he entered closing the door behind her. "How did you know where I lived?"

"Trust me, it's not hard information to find." He took off his hat and his glasses throwing them on her desk as he leaned against it his long legs stretching all the way to her bed in the small room. He had changed into a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt and it was a new look for Charlie to absorb. Realizing she was staring at him she turned around hiding her tear stained and, most likely, blotchy face. His presence filled her room and for the first time she realized just how small it really was.

"Why are you here?" She did her best to hide the gruffness the tears had caused her voice to have. She realized that he was the first person she had let see her upset since she was fifteen ears old.

"Because I was worried that what I said upset you; made you feel guilty." His voice was soft and soothing, so unlike the voice he used in his classroom.

"The whole situation upset me, and guilt is the least I deserve." She felt the tears building again.

"The only one who should feel guilty is Brad."

"I still don't understand how you know..." She stopped. She had never said the word since she had told her mother and stepfather ten years earlier.

"Know that you were raped?" The word was like a gunshot coming out of Hilliard's mouth and she felt the tears start all over again.

"Have you ever told anyone Charlie?" His voice was rough, almost as if he was uncomfortable asking the question.

"I told my mother and stepfather right after it happened." Her voice was suddenly emotionless as she recalled her mother's own emotionless response.

"What did happen?"

Charlie looked out the small window trying to figure out if she should share. He was the only one in ten years that had ever seemed interested. "Why do you care?" She turned her red, tear stained face, towards him with absolutely no idea of how desperate she looked.

"I don't know. I'm trying to figure that one out myself." He didn't hesitate to meet her eyes as he said it.

As her eyes meet his honest gaze she realized she didn't want to be a victim anymore. Charlie looked at Hilliard, really looked at him. He was a handsome and strong warrior who was comfortable in his own skin. His attraction to her was hard for her to believe. Why would a man, who could have any woman he wanted, be interested in her?