Good Girl Gone Plaid(70)
“Someone like that? Do you even know why he has a felony? Why he nearly beat someone to death? Has he told you that yet?”
“No, he didn’t say,” Sarah admitted. “I’m assuming a bar fight over a girl. An insult. A sneeze he took personally. Does it matter? He nearly beat someone to death.”
Kenzie’s mouth thinned. “You have no idea.”
“Then, please, enlighten me.”
“Remember those guys on the wharf the other day?”
“Yes.”
“There was one in particular who was harassing me.”
“Oh, trust me, I remember.” This was it. She was finally getting the scoop on that guy.
“Well, nine years ago outside the pub he tried to rape me,” Kenzie explained almost offhandedly.
“What?” Sarah could feel the blood draining from her face.
“Fortunately Ian stumbled upon us. He pulled the guy off me and then proceeded to beat the living daylights out of him,” she continued. “Which is what got him arrested and ultimately convicted of second-degree assault.”
Kenzie had nearly been raped. The horror of that realization alone left her stomach churning, but knowing Ian had saved her and gone to jail for it…
“But if he was protecting you—”
“Ian nearly killed him. Charles was flown to Harbor View in critical condition.”
“Well the asshole’s obviously fine now,” Sarah seethed. “Did he at least get convicted of attempted rape?”
“No. The jury wasn’t convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that I wasn’t willing. There’d been times I’d been seen flirting with him and we’d left the pub together after an early dinner.” She hesitated. “But outside, it moved too fast. He was violent. Scary. And I asked him to stop but he didn’t. My fear seemed to get him more excited.”
“Oh God, Kenzie, he sounds like a monster. I’m so sorry.”
“At the time I had a bit of a reputation as being a little wild. It’s a small island. The jury knew me—knew my reputation.”
“And yet another jury convicted Ian of second-degree assault?” Sarah shook her head, furious now. “Our system is screwed up.”
“Ian never had a chance. My attacker was the son of a respected judge on the island. One who made it a personal goal to charge and convict my brother.”
No. Oh please no. Sarah’s throat grew tight with tears and her heart pounded far too fast in her chest. It made sense with the way the man had seemed to goad her on the wharf. There’d been a swagger that made Sarah believe he might’ve gotten away with rape had Ian not found them. And the bastard was still out walking free.
“I-I didn’t know. Oh, God, Kenzie. I’m so sorry.”
“I am too. But not for myself, for Ian.” Kenzie’s face pinched and she closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I made stupid choices that day. I nearly invited the damn attack, and ultimately Ian paid the price.”
“Don’t ever say that. I wasn’t there, but to say you invited the attack is ridiculous.”
Suddenly it flickered through her head. Something Ian had said earlier in the week about how he took the word no seriously. She’d half brushed his remark off at the time, but now it made sense.
It was personal. It also explained why he’d insisted on driving her home the other night.
His sister had nearly been raped. His felony was because he’d intervened and taught the guy a lesson.
And she’d been so quick to judge him. So quick to assume the worst about him.
Shame flooded through her and nausea had her stomach churning.
“He doesn’t like me to talk about it,” Kenzie said quietly. “Doesn’t want me to explain why he’s considered a felon. He says if people want to be so quick to judge him, then let them. He only spent three months in prison, but he wears the felon label like a scarlet letter on his chest. He doesn’t think he’s good enough for anyone.” She met Sarah’s gaze. “Especially for you.”
“Oh God…”
“And that’s why it’s so hard to hear you judge him. If he hadn’t stepped in that night, he never would’ve gone to prison. He never would’ve had that felony on his record that you and others are so quick to judge.”
“And then this Charles guy would’ve likely succeeded in raping you.” Just saying the words made her almost sick. Brought up a violence in her that probably was very similar to what Ian had experienced.
“What if Ian simply interrupted my fate?” Kenzie’s jaw flexed. “Charles is walking the streets free as a bird, and I half suspect he’s done this to other women. He knows now he can truly get away with anything.”