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.I can only see the man’s hair and his forehead.But I recognise that forehead, the style of his hair.I shake my head slightly.It can't be, surely? That would just be too freaky to be coincidence?“What?” Tristan asks.But I don't answer him.“Coral, what is it baby, what have you seen?”I shakily press the button so the screen scrolls down, my heart is in my mouth, my ears are ringing and I can feel the blood pumping through my veins.And there he is, Kane Smith staring back at me.Almost black hair, bright blue eyes, chiselled features.He’s smiling in the photograph, but I can see the evil behind those eyes, the malicious intent – just like his father.A rush of adrenalin floods my system.He told me his name was Sam!I don't believe this! I start shaking my head in denial, this is some kind of sick fucking joke!“Coral, what’s wrong?” Tristan says, shaking me gently, trying to pull me out of it.I close my eyes for a moment, my hands gripping into fists.No, no, no.This can't be happening! I open my eyes and with careful controlled movements, I put the laptop to the side, get to my feet and start pacing, my hands gripping my hair, my breath coming in sharp gusts.This is.unbelievable!I want to scream, both of them, in one foul swoop!“Coral?” Tristan softly says.“Please tell me what’s going on.” His voice is strained, I can tell he’s hurting.I don't want to hurt him.I take several deep calming breaths, when I feel ready, I open my eyes, climb onto his lap and wrap my arms tightly around his neck.“You promise?” I whisper, inches from his face, my eyes pleading with his.“Yes.I promise.” Tristan says, slightly bemused.Keeping my eyes firmly locked on his I say the words.“He’s the guy that raped me.”Tristan instantly stiffens beneath me, it’s like every muscle in his body has reacted.It feels like I’m sitting on a hard rock, not a human body.His eyes instantly turn dark.His cheeks have flushed and his breathing has kicked up, his jaw is tensing too, but he keeps his eyes locked on mine.We stay like that for a while, just staring at one another.I’m glad Tristan hasn’t freaked out, it wouldn’t do either of us any good if he did.He swallows hard, then reaches up and tenderly places his hand on my cheek.“You’re sure?” he says, his voice wavering.“Tristan, I would never forget his face.” I whimper, then I realise something, something I hadn’t pieced together before.I gasp again.“He did know me! The fucker knew me when he raped me, he recognised me – He knew!” I screech.I feel outraged.I get up from Tristan’s lap and start pacing again, I grip my hair in my fists while I try to work it out.He must have seen me, recognised me, and decided to pursue me, knowing all along what he was going to do.Something is recalled from deep within my psyche, something I thought I heard him say when I was half-conscious and he was raping me.I always wondered what it would be like with you.I fall to the floor my knees giving way on me.Then I feel it, the rage flooding my veins, I bring my fists up and slam them down onto the floor, over and over again.Tristan is instantly over to me, he crouches behind me, takes hold of my arms and pulls them against my chest.“Stop Coral, stop.” He wraps his arms around me, squeezing me tight.“My mom was right Tristan,” I croak.“I remembered something he said to me when.he said,‘I always wondered what it would be like with you’ He knew Tristan, he knew!”“Jesus.” Tristan breathes, squeezing me tighter.I feel angry, sick and violated all over again – Mother Fucker!The anger quickly turns to tears.The floodgates open and I cry angry, wretched tears, howling out loud as the realisation keeps hitting me over and over again.I don't think I’m going to be able to stop.Tristan doesn’t move an inch, he just stays on the floor with me, his arms tightly wrapped around me.It takes a while for me to calm down, but once the crying has ceased, Tristan helps me to my feet.I take another bathroom break because I need to clean up my face, and when I’m done, I head back into the living room.Tristan is stood up, waiting for my return, I’m trying not to, but I feel angry again, and vulnerable and stupid! How could I have not seen it?Tristan has poured us both another Brandy.He takes my hand and sits me down on the sofa.“Here baby, drink this.” He says, handing me a glass.“I shouldn’t” I say.“Baby, one more isn’t going to mess with your painkillers, besides I think you need it.Take it baby drink it.” I take the glass of Tristan and take a sip.Tristan gestures for me to sit on his lap again, so I clumsily climb onto him.“How are you feeling baby?” He softly asks.“Angry and stupid.” I spit.“I can't believe it.” I break off and stare blankly ahead.“That you knew him?” He questions.I look up and nod.Tristan tenses his jaw several times.I can see it in his eyes, he wants to kill him, to kill both of them – I’m instantly worried.“Tristan, promise me you won’t do anything stupid, if it got back to you, linked to you.” I take a deep breath.“If anything happened to you.” I trail off not wanting to think about it.Tristan takes a deep breath and slowly blows it out.He still hasn’t looked at his laptop.I think he’s trying very hard not to lose it, like if he does look at the screen, at Kane’s photo, he’ll punch it to the floor in anger.“Promise me,” I prompt.“I won't do anything, I promise.” He states, his voice firm, sharp.I smile tentatively at him.“Ok.” I take another sip at the same time as Tristan, for some reason it makes me smile.“I’m glad you told me what happened last night.I’m glad you didn’t keep this to yourself, or try to handle it on your own,” he says, but he’s miles away, I can tell.“I did contemplate not telling you.I was going to get another P.I report.” Tristan stiffens once more beneath me.“But then I thought no, you’ll handle it.Like you are now, I should give you more credit.”“I don't feel like I’m handling it,” he says through gritted teeth.“Inside I’m screaming!”I wrap my free arm around his neck and bury my head under his chin, he starts stroking my back, making me feel safe and warm.We sit silently for a while, sipping our Brandy’s, both deep in thought.“What do you want to do Coral?” I look up at Tristan, he’s glaring at Kane’s photograph, eyes wild with hate and fury.“I don't know,” I say, frowning deeply.“Well as in so much as I don't know what to do about it, now that I know who they are.I don't want to go to court, but I don't want them to get away with it either.” I swallow hard.Why do I want retribution? I’ve never wanted that before, but I guess that was before I knew who either of them were
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