The part of me that couldn’t think of a way to explain to my mother welcomes the new development but a larger part of me instantly rejects it. “That isn’t even an apology. He just wants to buy my silence.”
Maddox inclines his head and I’m grateful he’s not trying to convince me the contract is something it’s not.
“What happens if I’ve already told someone?”
“Have you?”
I cup my elbows, wanting to lie but unable to. “No.”
“Then does the answer really matter?”
“I’m not going to sign anything without reading it properly first.”
“He wants a response today.”
“Thatismy response. I was assaulted last night. I barely slept. There’s no way I’m signing any documentation in this state, especially without consulting a lawyer.”
“We’ve got a lawyer on standby for you to talk to.”
“Myownlawyer.” I stifle an inappropriate laugh. As if I have a lawyer. As if anyone our age should need one.
My brain’s so foggy, the day takes on a surrealistic edge. “I need to tell my mother. When I do, she’ll want me to make a police report.”
Maddox’s expression changes to panic and he leans forward. “No. He’s already serving a sentence.” The words are spoken so quietly I tilt my head to hear him clearly. “If you tell the cops, they’ll send him to prison. He’ll be eaten alive.”
“And why’s that my concern?” I ask, irritation building as I remember Clare’s explanation. “He’s the one who burned down a derelict building without checking for people inside.”
“No, he’s not. I did.” He meets my gaze calmly, showing no signs of deceit. “Zane took the rap on my behalf. You won’t believe this now, but he’s a good guy.”
I stare at my thumb, picking at the nail with my opposite hand, feeling the pressure building, inside and out. My face grows hot, throbbing with every heartbeat. “This isn’t fair.”
“I know. But he’s trying.”
“Bullshit. He’s just covering his arse. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life censoring myself. This happened.” His mouth twists and I hold up my hand. “Fine. It was a mistake. But ithappened.He hurt me. He held a hand over my mouth and pinched my nose shut.”
A tear trickles from my eye and I’m too distraught to bother wiping it away as I give voice to the worst of it, to the darkest part.
“I thought he was going to kill me.”
Maddox looks miserable, but he nods. “Okay, I’ll tell him. There’s also… Zane wants me to…” He falters to a complete stop, jaw tensing before he releases a long sigh. “Can I take you to a health clinic?”
The utter dejection on his face is weirdly amusing. “Wow. You drew the short straw today, didn’t you?”
The best he can manage is a wan smile, but at least this offer of help is welcome. Thoughtful, even.
“Just give me a minute.” I glance down at my clothes. “I wasn’t expecting to leave the house.”
“There’s no need to dress up on my account.”
“My concern was more for the general public,” I say with an eye roll. “But I also need to tell Mum I’m leaving.”
My mother sends me a curious glance when I burst back into the house, change my outfit, and give her a goodbye kiss on the cheek.
“You’re going out with that boy?” A clear sign she snooped. “That’s a fancy car for someone his age.”
“We’re going on anouting.We’re notgoing out.”
“Mm-hm.”
