I’d caused so much pain, trying to hold onto the past.
It had been time to let go.
Time to fight for a different future than the one I’d imagined nearly ten years ago. Time to step out of the darkness where I’d carried these secrets for so long. Alone.
And step into the light.
It wouldn’t be easy. It would take more courage than I thought I possessed. But…
Somehow, with her small hand in mine, it felt possible.
She exhaled shakily, her hand trembling in my grip. “I walked up to this cemetery unsure if there’d be an explanationthat justified it. Whatever you were going to tell me about the attack, I couldn’t see how…But I understand, Kingston.
Her voice was steady, calm and strong.
“I mean it. I do. As much as I really can, I understand what you were afraid of. What you still fear. A monster who can and will take everything you love.”
She gestured at the cemetery, her eyes still slightly widened with disbelief because, as she’d said, it wasso totally fucked.
“Clearly, that fear is warranted. And navigating how to love and protect two people at the same time, I don’t know what that’s like. Not yet. Hopefully, not ever. But I imagine it wasn’t easy…” She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “And I forgive you.”
A small piece of the weight on my chest lifted.
I brushed my lips over the top of her head, closing my eyes and appreciating the feel of her body tucked against mine. I never wanted it to end, but I’d meant what I said about not knowing what we faced and not being able to guarantee that I wouldn’t have to make hard choices again.
Pulling back, I stroked her cheek.
“Quinn, ultimately, I hurt you because I didn’t think of everything. I can’t promise that won’t happen again. No matter how much I wish I could. I will share with you what I can, whenever I’m able to do so. But, even with that, I have to be careful. I don’t want you to give up on the end before we reach it, and I don’t want to face this alone anymore. I’m not sure I can, either. Beating him alone, doing what I set out to do, every day it feels like something comes to remind me I’m no match for him.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “Everything he’s done to you—Ihatehim.”
At her growl, I choked out a laugh. “I know. ButIshould be apologizing to you. Showing you this, when I may have failed anyway because he’s always two steps ahead? I can’t do it alone,but…Quinn, sharing it all? Hearing it out loud? I also can’t deny a part of me feels you need to walk away from this.”
“No, Kingston.” Her firm tone pulled my gaze back to her face. “You were right to show me. Your father? He’s cutting you off from anyone who could help you through this. He’s isolating you, so he can keep abusing and controlling you. I…”
She took my face in her hands, her soft, warm palms gentle as she stroked my cheek. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch and her next words, as if pulled by gravity.
“There are ways to fight back against what he’s doing that won’t put you, me, or anyone else in more danger. And one of those ways is by supporting you with whatever you need to get out. If that means being the picture of a perfect Lady, keeping my head down, and not scratching his eyes out the minute I see him, then so be it. If that’s all I can do, I’ll do it. I won’t do anything that makes it harder, but Iwillfight for you. By not letting him isolate you. By not letting him make you believe that you’re alone.”
Her eyes were fierce when I opened mine.
“You’re not alone, Kingston. Not anymore. I’m with you, and I’ll stand by your side, through whatever it takes, to get us all to the end.”
She pressed our foreheads together, and our connection hummed through my whole body. I nodded, unable to tear my eyes from hers.
“Okay.” I echoed her words, taking up a new oath and pledging my trust toherwith a vow as indomitable as her spirit. “I’m with you, and I’ll stand by your side, through whatever it takes.”
Her smile gripped my heart, its hold unbreakable.
“To get us all to the end.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
With our hearts heavy, bound by secrets and shared hope, we walked out of the cemetery.
Together.
My heart broke for the little boy raised by a monster, who’d somehow managed to keep going—keep fighting—trying to do good, even though his world was riddled with evil.
