Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(64)

Frank gets me in the car and gets behind the wheel before driving away.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s a long story.” Frank blows out a breath.

“I gathered that. I’m all ears so start speaking.”

“Back in his day in the military, Robert wasn’t a good little soldier like he made it out to be to us. Turns out he was hanging out with the enemy and f*cked shit up. He was dishonorably discharged for sexual assault on a family member to one of the generals. He got her pregnant, and you came into this world,” he says the last part through gritted teeth.

“What?” I say in a low, stunned voice.

“Your mom was the general’s daughter. He raped her after a bender, and she got pregnant with you. Robert came from a prominent family in the area so even though he got a DD from the Army, he was still allowed to roam freely if he married your mom and took care of you. To Robert, you were a daily reminder of how one night of fun f*cked up his life. He never wanted kids, and you were thrown in his life. He d-”

“Did he kill my mom?” I cut him off.

“Yes.”

“Son of a bitch!” I yell out.

“Sorry, I wish I wasn’t the one to tell you about it all. I’m sorry things got messed up between all of us and that I was a bad brother and didn’t help you out when you needed it.” I’m shocked by what he’s saying.

“You were too young to help me, but it doesn’t explain why Robert is doing all of this shit to us and why you and Caroline accepted it, why you all hate me and why you’re saving my ass now.”

“Robert is doing it because he was forced into it. After he got rid of your mom, the same thing pretty much repeated itself with Linda. He was on a night out drinking and forced himself onto her. She didn’t seem to mind it. Apparently, she was known as the town slut, but yeah, Caroline was born, then me, then Maddie. She accepted his ways, but he never wanted the kids and made sure to ruin our lives by setting us up with people we didn’t want to be with.”

“You do realize it makes no f*cking sense, right?”

“I’m not finished.” He sighs.

“Go on then, don’t let me stop you.”

“Remember how Grandad was always cold and well a dick to Robert?”

“How could I forget that?” I scoff.

“Well, turns out Robert came out gay to him when he was just a teenager, and he sent him to military training to get him out of that phase. When he raped your mom, his friends had teased that he couldn’t get it up for a woman, but he just went to prove them wrong. I’m sorry.”

“Fucking *,” I mumble.

“He is and was this harsh on you because the same happened to him.”

“He’s more f*cked up than I thought.”

“I know.”

“Why are you going through with it, though?” I ask needing to know.

“I actually fell in love with Olivia and from what she says, she did too. I wasn’t for it in the beginning. Sure, she was hot, and sex was great. As time went by, feelings became real, and it’s a real thing now; I’m happily marrying her.”

“I’m happy for you then,” I say truthfully.

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. Despite you being a little shit all the while we were growing up, I’m glad you found the one for you.”

“Thanks, Nate. Means a lot to me.

“No worries. What about Caroline?”

“She hates Dylan. She can’t stand him, and I know she’s going to file for divorce. She had no idea what was going on in the beginning. She was overweight and thought no one would want her, so she went on with it, thinking it was a favor Robert was doing her. She figured things out about a year into the wedding.”

“When did you find out?”

“Around the same time as she did.”

“Why am I the last to know?” I sigh.

“It all started because of what Robert did, and I just never got the guts to tell you about any of it.”

“Why now then? Why help me escape, and where the hell are you taking me?”

“Because the guy he picked for Maddie is a f*cking *, and I don’t want him to get his hands anywhere near her. I know you’ll be able to protect her and make sure she’s safe and that guy won’t get to her. I’m taking you to a cabin to rest and recover before you can show your face back into society. You have to lay low for a bit. I know Robert is going to look for you, and he’ll go to your place straightaway so you can’t go there,” he states matter of factly.

“Who’s cabin?”

“Olivia’s parents. They hate Robert and aren’t happy that she’s marrying into his family, but they know she loves me and I love her, so they’re okay with us being together and getting married.”

“That’ll make one hell of an awkward wedding.” I snort.

“Tell me about it. We’ve been thinking of doing our own thing, to be honest.”

“Breaking the family rules, you rebel.” I chuckle and wince.

“Stop making fun of me or I’ll drive you back,” he grunts.

“You wouldn’t dare! Think of Maddie.”