“I thought I had to be perfect, thought if I just did things exactly the way he preferred then he’d keep his fists to himself.” She looks away and this time, I find that I’m the one who’s reaching across the space between us to offer comfort. “But it didn’t matter how hard I worked or how perfect I was, the abuse didn’t stop.”
I suck in a breath and nod.
“I got out.” An exhale. “And he dragged me back. Then I got out again and again and again, and every single time I ended up right back in that house.”
“Oh, River.”
“All that matters is that I’m not there any longer.” She squeezes my hand and pulls back. “And I know it’s not what you went through. I’m only telling you so that you know I understand, at least a little bit.”
“I think you understandexactlywhat I’m feeling.”
“Maybe,” she murmurs.
“Definitely.”
“Okay then.” A breath. “So you need to know it gets better. Trust that there are good people in this world.” She touches my cheek. “And trust that you’ll be able to find them.”
“I know that’s true.”
“Yeah?” Hope blazes in her gorgeous eyes.
“Yeah,” I tell her. “Because you’re in my life now.”
Her eyes fill with tears but her smile is as beautiful as she is. “Just try and get rid of me.”
“Never.” I climb to my feet, extend a hand to help her to hers. “Now should we attempt Bread 2.0?”
“I think—” But she freezes, as though something catches her focus.
I follow her gaze and warmth floods me as I see Brooks standing just a few feet away, his expression unfathomable.
Before I can process that, I realize there’s someone behind him.
Thorn.
And the rage inhisexpression is unending.
THIRTY-FIVE
BROOKS
I wassurprised when Thorn asked to meet up at my place, though him showing with a bag of completely unnecessary cat toys wasn’t exactly shocking.
He’s been claimed.
Violet will be old enough to be adopted in the next week.
The only question is if Thorn will get over himself enough to bring the kitten home with him.
I nod toward the security guard on duty, unlock the door, and push inside.
There’s a crash and I rush forward, but even before I’m recognizing it’s just a minor mishap in the kitchen, River and Briar’s voices reach me.
And I’m eavesdropping—we’reeavesdropping.
But I can’t make myself stop.
Neither, it appears, can Thorn.
