Betrayed

he’d go back to the time before he had found Brook in the forest. It wouldn't be easy; in fact, it might even be impossible. Brooklyn Cheyenne had made an indelible mark on him. He would never forget her.

At home, Lance set about doing his chores. He let Gilbert out and mucked her pen. She seemed to sense his dark mood and didn’t frisk about as usual. Holding a tight lid on his feelings, Lance kept moving, handling one chore after another. He fed the chickens and the few ducks that remained, and chopped more wood, since the nights were still chilly. Not wishing to spend time inside, where everything reminded him of Brook, he found one project after another that required his attention outside. Finally, exhausted, he entered his home, made a light supper, and sat down to read, but found his thoughts wandering.

Chapter 52

In that odd first moment, Brook noticed how much Clark had aged. They stared at each other as if under a spell.

Then, Clark rushed to Brook and took her in his arms. He was weeping. Tears welled up in her eyes, but a part of her stayed distant. His touch, familiar as it was, seemed strange to her now. She let him hold her but gave nothing in return. He didn’t seem to notice her lack of enthusiasm.

“You’re alive! How? When? Oh god, Brook, where have you been? Where have you been all this time?” Clark pulled back from her, looked at her, and then pulled her close to him again. His shoulders heaved several times. Sniffling, he released her and walked to the counter for a paper towel. Mopping his eyes and wiping his nose, he stared at her in astonishment.

“I thought you were dead. I thought they’d killed you,” he blurted, then covered his eyes with his hands. “I mean, I thought someone…”

“Who, Clark? Who did you think killed me?” Brook’s voice was harsh. Tears shone in her eyes.

Clark stammered for a moment. “I’m in shock. I don’t know what I’m saying. You took me by surprise. Give me a minute; let me get my bearings.”

“No! You slipped and said something you didn’t mean to. I want to know more about it. Who did you think killed me? Maybe Jase? Or Benny?” Her voice rose in volume. “Your buddies?”

Clark’s shoulders sagged. “Oh god.” He held his hands to his temples, as if his head might explode. The confession bubbled to the surface and burst out. “I’m so sorry, Brook. I got in way over my head. You weren’t supposed to be hurt! It was just the car. They were supposed to take the car while you were inside the bookstore.”

A great weight seemed to fall from his shoulders. 'I'm glad it's out in the open. I've carried this burden all these months, and it's made me sick. Just sick, I tell you.'

Brook shook her head, trying to absorb the shock. Although her subconscious had been preparing her for this moment, it still rocked her to her very core. Clarkwas the reason she had been hurt! She stared at him, her face twisted with horror and revulsion. He couldn’t bear up under her gaze, and slunk from the kitchen, Brook on his heels.

“Why, Clark? Why would you be involved with thieves? Criminals?”

Clark stopped and turned around. He stared at her in amazement. “Do you really think I can afford this life- style on my wages? Six cars? Swimming pool? Three thousand square feet of living space. The Club. Come on, Brook, you can’t possibly believe that I make that much money.”

“How would I know how much you make? You never shared those kinds of details with me. Besides, you come from a wealthy family. What about your parents’ money?”

“What about it? That’s their money. Not mine. I may get some of it when they pass away, but they’re still young. They could spend it all by then. And more power to them if they do. It is theirs, after all.”

“What about your trust fund?”

“Trust fund?” Clark laughed ruefully. “My dad never believed in trust funds. He believes a man should make his own way in life. Jesus Christ, Brook.”

“Okay. But…”

Clark cut her off. “You know, most of this is your fault. I don’t need all this pretentious shit to live. I buy it for you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t need more money than what the firm pays.”

“For me! For me? How dare you. You can’t blame this on me. I’ve never needed any of this.” She waved her hands to encompass their surroundings. “And as for the Club; well, I’ve never felt welcome there and I never will. This is not my life, Clark, it’s yours!”

“You don’t have a clue, Brook.” Clark walked to the bar and poured a scotch and water.

“I don’t have a clue? Oh my god! I’m not the one breaking the law. I’m not the one who set up someone I supposedly loved to be taken by animals. To be abused for days. They raped me, Clark! Those filthy pigs raped me! They planned on killing me.” She sucked in a ragged breath, anger and heartache warring inside her. “I do have a clue. You don’t!” Brook’s voice broke and tears ran down her cheeks. “They hurt me so badly! Over and over again, Clark.'

“Brook…” he reached out a hand, beseeching her. “It was never supposed to happen, sweetheart. Those bastards! I hate the thought of their hands on you.” He stopped as a frown passed over his face. “I suppose you fought them?”

“Yes, you son-of-a-bitch! I fought them. Did you think I’d just lie there and take it? Maybe enjoy it?” Brook felt as if she would vomit. “But what the hell does that have to do with anything? What if I hadn’t fought? What if I couldn’t? How can you even ask something like that?”

“I don’t know. It just popped into my mind. I didn’t mean anything by it. Of course, I don’t think you enjoyed it. That’s crazy, and you know it.” He paused. His expression was an odd melding of agony and bewilderment. “But, where have you been all this time? You don’t look injured to me. What am I supposed to think? Have you been with them this whole time? My god, Brook. Where were you?”

“With them? God! No, I wasn’t with them the whole time. I would have been dead a long time ago.” Brook was astounded. “I got away. Escaped. Got lost in the middle of a forest in the freezing cold. I thought I was going to die. Then, I was rescued by a man. A good, kind man. He took care of me, cleaned me up, and kept me safe. He lives way up on a mountainside in the forest. I couldn’t get off the mountain until the snow melted.”

“Well, whoever he is, I’d like to shake his hand. I’d like to thank him for helping you. I can hardly believe you're really here. But Brook, you need to take a minute to see my side of things. You have to realize this isn’t the way it was supposed to go down. I never wanted you to be hurt! The thought of it makes me…' Clark rubbed his hand over his face. “I swear, I almost lost my mind when you disappeared. It wasn’t as if I meant for you to be taken. I don't think you realize how hard this has been on me.” He paced back and forth a few times.

Brook started to speak, but Clark cut her off.

 “You just don’t understand. Maybe my need for money isn’t your fault. But, lord, Brook. You can’t imagine the thrill of setting up these deals. The money that flows from those rich bastards overseas… It’s like a drug. I imagine it is similar to shooting heroin. The rush! But it was supposed to be my private indulgence, my secret. I never intended to drag you into it or involve you in any way. Don't you see? I’m sorry you got hurt. I truly am. I would never hurt you for a million dollars.”

“No, Clark.” Brook sighed. “Not for a million. You did it for a lot less.”

The anger had suddenly drained out of her, leaving her exhausted and miserable. The conversation illustrated how self-absorbed Clark was. Why hadn’t she seen it before? No questions from him about her condition, the location where she had spent the last several months, or even about her abductors. He still seemed to be focused on his own interests, only superficially engaged beyond that. She was stunned by his self-centered responses. “You know what? I'm done. No more. I’m leaving you, Clark. I don’t love you anymore. In fact, I despise you.”

“Brook, no!” Clark fell to his knees and reached towards Brook.

“Just…don't. Don't do this to me, or to yourself. It’s over. It was over before I even got home. I love another man.”

Clark’s face reddened and he climbed back to his feet. “Another man? Who the hell is he? The man on the