RunningScaredBN by Christy Reece Read Free Book Online

did.”
    Confusion glimmered for a second, and then she said, “Oh, you mean spilling my guts at the press conference?”
    “Yes.”
    “It was something I felt I had to do.”
    Thankful that Kacie didn’t seem the least bit upset to be talking about her dark past, she said, “Why?”
    “For several reasons. One, there was always a chance that someone would have found out the truth on their own and try to use it against me. Living under that kind of shadow wasn’t something I wanted. Now, that risk is gone. And two, I was living a lie and I felt like a hypocrite. I’m a role model for a lot of young women. How could I tell other women who have been raped to come forward when I kept my past abuse hidden?”
    “How did you find the courage to do it?”
    Awareness flickered in Kacie’s eyes, and Riley knew she saw the truth behind her questions.  
    “Part of it was Brennan. Having his love and support gave me the strength and courage to face my past.”
    “What was the other part?”
    “The knowledge that I did nothing wrong. Nothing I did could ever make me deserve what happened to me. Even though I had recovered, I still felt shame for what I’d gone through. Even though I knew up here”—she touched her head—“that I’d done nothing wrong, I realized I still felt shame. I was raped and tortured by a monster. The shame was on him, not me.”
    Riley nodded. She knew all this. Had gone through tons of counseling herself.  
    “Do you regret making it public?”
    “No. Oh, there were some nasty comments. Some calling it a publicity stunt. Online trolls looking for attention. Things like that. People whose opinion means nothing.”
    Save a handful of people, Riley didn’t care about others’ opinions of her. No, it wasn’t her reputation at stake. It was her life, her sanity, at risk. But what would be at risk if she didn’t take this next step?
    Soft music sounded from the auditorium.  
    “Thank you. I’d better let you get back to getting ready.” Impulsively, Riley hugged her and then jumping up, walked swiftly to the door.  
    As she opened it, Kacie said, “Riley?”
    She looked back at the woman still sitting on the settee. The compassion on Kacie’s face brought a lump to Riley’s throat.
    “If there’s anything you need,” Kacie said, “anything I can do to help, will you let me know?”
    “I will. Thank you.” Before closing the door, Riley added, “Be happy, Kacie. I wish you and Brennan the happiest of lives together.”
    ***
    Justin stood in the large foyer of the church, out of the way of the guests exiting the building. The wedding had gone off without a hitch. Brennan and Kacie had looked good together. As Brennan’s best man, he’d been standing up front with him when Kacie had walked down the aisle toward her waiting groom. The entire church had exhaled with a collective gasp. Yes, she’d looked beautiful, but it had been more than that. Justin didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone more joyful or more in love. Brennan’s expression had been a mirror image of Kacie’s.
    Justin hoped all their dark days were behind them.  
    He’d been about to turn and face the front when he spotted a woman sitting in the back row. Even with the long blond hair, heavy makeup, and thick-rimmed glasses, he recognized his partner.  
    He hadn’t seen her since their op in Iraq a week ago. He’d asked her if she would be attending the wedding, and she’d been noncommittal, saying only that she was unsure if she’d be able to make it.  
    The audience had been filled with LCR employees and operatives. Many of them in disguise. This wasn’t an op, but because of their pasts, most needed to stay out of the limelight. It was something Justin understood and accepted. Seeing his partner dressed in disguise was something else entirely. It had been a punch to the gut. An abrupt, unpleasant discovery that revealed just how much he didn’t know about her. Who was Riley hiding from and why?
    The