second, but you need to hear him out. I wouldn’t have believed him either, but we have the proof. Everything he’s saying is true. You know better than anyone I wouldn’t do anything to put you in danger. If I thought he was a threat, he wouldn’t be here.”
“He pushed me to get married. He worked directly with my father. He is one of his men.” Roman forces me to look at him, calming the storm brewing inside me.
“It wasn’t like that, Sophie. It might have seemed like that at the time, but he was trying to get you married so you wouldn't get sold. He was trying to protect you, the only way he knew how. If he wanted to hurt you, he wouldn’t have done all he did for you to marry out of that place.”
I swallow and nod. I know he’s right. Luke never once raised a hand to me. He tried to stop the beatings and saved my ass numerous times, which made the betrayal all the more hurtful when I found out he was working with my father. I don’t know if I can get the thought of him working with my father out of my head.
“Men, let’s go have a drink or five, and leave them to figure this out,” Xander announces, walking toward the kitchen. Elyse releases Luke with a sad look, and walks back over to Hero.
“Come on, let’s go sit,” Roman tucks me close to his side and ushers me to one of the living rooms. Luke follows closely behind and knowing Roman seems comfortable enough to turn his back on my brother is a little bit of a relief. It means to Roman he isn’t a risk, so he isn’t one to me either.
We take a seat and Luke starts to talk right away. “A few years ago, I walked in on a conversation between the man we called our father and some man I didn't know. At first I didn't understand what they were even talking about but as the conversation continued I started putting the pieces together. I thought I misunderstood them when they started discussing the prices for each girl. They were calculating, trying to determine the worth of a girl.” He pauses briefly, his eyes meeting mine, holding mine, and I see the sadness in those depths, the sadness and love he has for me.
“Then I realized that they were talking about you. You were supposed to be sold as soon as you turned eighteen. As soon as the men left I confronted Joseph. I demanded answers, Sophie. And that’s when it all came out. He told me about how we weren't his real children and that we owed him for taking us off the street. I didn't believe him of course, so he showed me. He showed me papers, photos, and our birth certificates. That’s when I learned that we are actually twins.”
“We’re twins?” I gasp. How is any of that possible? My heart thuds against my rib cage painfully.
“Yes, it’s all true. I swear, I can show you the proof.” I look into his eyes, and the brother I used to love so dearly stares back at me, but beyond that I know he’s telling the truth. I don't need to see some paper to prove it.
“I’m so sorry, Sophie, I tried. I tried everything I could to get you out of there. He told me if I could find you a husband who was willing to give him money he would let you go, and on top it he demanded that I work alongside him. That’s why I spent so much time away and why I tried to talk you into that marriage. I thought it was your only chance at freedom.”
I get up and throw my arms around him, holding him close to my chest. “I believe you.” Tears swim in my eyes. All those years that Luke kept me away, all the times he brought the attention to himself. The beatings he took for me, the sacrifices he made.
“I was so worried about you,” Luke murmurs into my hair. “When you decided not to follow through with the arranged marriage I was angry, but I understood. I just wanted you to be safe. And when he sold you. I didn’t know Sophie. I swear I didn’t. If I did I would’ve fought harder...I would’ve done anything I could to protect you. I wanted to find you but I didn’t even know