Page 5 of Deadly Scandals

I took a slow step backward, nausea rolling in my stomach as the realization that I was facing my rapist hit me. I wanted to vomit at the thought of him forcing himself on me.

Then, as quickly as the sick feeling hit, anger boiled right over it. He had lied to me and raped me—all for some twisted fantasy. I loved Joaquín, no doubt, but as a sister. Nothing more. Never, ever. I only saw him as a brother.

Anger consumed me. I was angry at the drunk driver who had killed my parents. Angry at the man who’d raped me. Angry at whoever stole my son. Angry at whoever killed Tiffany.

And I realized at that moment that one person committed all of these crimes.

And that person was my brother.

Utter panic took hold of my body. But a moment of clarity passed through my brain. Grant’s words rang in my head. “Don’t be scared. This is the only way we can find our son. You can do this. I believe in you. You are strong and brilliant. I love you.”

I had to go along with this. Getting this psychopath to believe that I was in love with him was the only way I had a chance to get my son back. If not, he could kill me, or kill my child.

I thought my biggest act had been making sure Ksenya could trick Grant, but I had been wrong. That had been nothing but a dress rehearsal. My greatest performance was now.

And it was showtime.

I ran my fingers through his hair as I forced the bile back down my throat. I disconnected my mind and pretended Joaquín was Grant.

Acting, I was acting. This was a love scene, a fake kiss, nothing more.

I leaned up to him and kissed him on the lips. “You know I love you too. I did all this for you. I can’t live without you.”

He seized the moment, his hands rubbing down my body, his mouth raping mine. “I’ve dreamed of this, baby.”

Hearing him call me “baby” was like hearing nails on a chalkboard.

“Me, too,” I forced myself to reply.

A grin swept across his face. “I can’t wait to make love to you again.”