This isn’t like me. I’m not the kind of person who runs around squealing on people. I doubt either of my stepbrothers would believe this, but I would rather mind my own business.

That’s what I’m fighting with as I wander my room, my conscience and my sense of self-preservation fighting it out as one crucial minute after another ticks by. They’re leaving soon. I don’t have much more time to make up my mind.

I can either spend the honeymoon locked in this room, afraid to step foot outside even to get something to eat, or I can tell James what’s happening. At least he might warn them to stay away from me. He’ll be on my side. He has to be, especially when I tell him there’s proof on the laptop. It’s the only chance I have left.

That’s that. When I look at it that way. When I consider how many awful things they could do to me while it’s just the three of us, it’s obvious I have no other option. I open my bedroom door, take a deep breath, and prepare to track him down before he leaves.

As it turns out, I don’t have far to go. He’s carrying a bag over his shoulder, fiddling with his sunglasses on his way down the hall. A smile lights up his face when he sees me approaching. “There she is. I haven’t seen you all day. You made a quick escape last night. Were you feeling all right?”

“Yeah, I had an accident with some wine, so I figured it would be better to come home and get changed than walk around in a stained dress all night.”

“That’s a shame. I’m sorry you missed so much of the party.”

I can’t say the same. “Anyway, it seemed like you two were having a good time, and that’s what matters.”

“What a sweet thing to say. If I’ve told your mother once, I’ve told her a hundred times: you are a wonderful kid, and she did a fantastic job of raising you.”

I have to say it. I have to say it before I lose my nerve. “Can I have a minute? I know you’re probably on your way out, but I need to tell you about this before you leave. And believe me, I don’t want to do this. I’ve been trying all day to come up with a way not to tell you about this.”

“Not to tell me about what?” He reaches out and touches my arm, frowning. “What’s happened? What can I help with?”

“I know this isn’t going to be easy for you to hear, but Colt and Nix…” Oh god, I didn’t think about how humiliating it would be to repeat all of this. But I have to get through it.