Page 128 of His Turn

“And his parents blamed you?” Bric asks.

“It was my fault,” I say.

“No, Nadia. Breaking up with someone isn’t a punishable offense. You’re not responsible for his actions.”

“He was only eighteen when we met—”

“Shhhh,” Bric says. His fingers back on my lips to quiet me.

“I won the criminal case,” I say. “But his family got a restraining order. Logan’s family too. They told a judge I was dangerous. I was subversive. And that I had a long history of psychological manipulation.” I look up at Bric. “And that judge believed them.”

“That judge was a dick, Nadia. Someone paid his ass off.”

“What?” I ask, squinting my eyes at him.

“Please. Subversive? That’s not grounds for a restraining order. They lied, that judge was their friend.”

“No,” I say.

“Yes,” he says. “Come on. I know you’re young, but… the whole world runs on money, Nadia. These guys come from old money. They wanted to punish you. And when they lost their legal case, they wanted to humiliate you. It’s bullshit. All of it.”

“Except the part where I killed someone.” I sniff wildly. But my crying has stopped.

“You didn’t kill him, Nadia. It’s not silly or stupid to think that. It’s normal. It’s even got a name. Survivor’s guilt. But you need to let it go. Did you know Jordan brought you here?”

I nod my head. “He told me last week.”

“Did you know he brought you here for me?”

I nod again.

“He told you that last week, too?”

“That’s why I begged you for a second chance. Jordan said you were worth it. He said we were perfect for each other in some odd way. That’s what he does, he said. He fixes people. I know he has clubs and—”

“What are these fucking clubs you’re talking about?” he asks. “Jordan doesn’t own any clubs.”

“Yes, he does,” I say. I even smile. Because Bric… all-knowing, all-powerful Elias Bricman, has no clue who Jordan Wells is. “We went to it that one night, remember? When I got to dominate and you had to watch.”

“What?”

I actually laugh. It’s small, and sounds terribly out of place after all this serious talk. But I need this laugh so badly—I do it again.

“That transient traveling sideshow-slash-rave?”

“The one where you fucked me on top of your car in front of fifty strangers.”

“Jesus. What else don’t I know?”

I shrug. “You know way more than I do, that’s for sure. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I came here for ballet. And to get away from Logan. He’s not supposed to talk to me. His parents could slap me with contempt of court if he says I broke the restraining order. And I still feel bad about Scott. I didn’t love him, or anything. But he was my friend and I miss him.”

Bric leans down to kiss me. “Don’t get lost in guilt, Nadia. Don’t do it. You can mourn him. You can miss him. But you can’t blame yourself for his actions. You’re not responsible for that.”

I have wanted to trust Bric since the first time we met. I just didn’t know it. But I really want to trust him now. And I don’t know if I should. “I came here for a new beginning,” I say.

“Then it’s time you got one,” Bric replies. He holds out his hand and says, “Hello. My name is Elias.”

I stare up at him. Then take his hand in mine and shake it. He’s so powerful. And controlling. And wild. But he’s also gentle. And loving. And smart. “Nadia,” I say. “Nice to meet you, Elias.”

“Would you like to be friends?” he asks.

After a few moments I say, “Yes. I’d like that a lot.”