“Good girl.”
She looked up at Brad as he gripped her shoulders. Saw his concern for her, saw the rage that he held in check.
“That pencil dick is in a tiny cell with only himself to play with now, honey. He'll never get near you or Billy again.”
That surprised a snort from her.
“I can't believe you called him that.”
“Pencil dick? It just seemed to fit the moment.”
“He did have a pencil dick.”
This time it was he who snorted.
“I hate that for a minute or two he can take me back there again. Hate that he still has that power over me.”
“It's not power, honey, it's fear, and entirely natural after what he put you through.”
He lowered his head so their eyes were level, and she inhaled that wonderful scent that only he had.
“I want to tell you a little secret now, honey, but it stays just between us, okay?”
Macy rose on her toes, purely to get closer to this man. She'd feel different in a while. Wouldn't need this contact, and could get it from anyone else, but right here and now, it was Brad she wanted.
“Scout’s honor.”
“Have mercy, Macy. The thought of you in a Scout’s uniform just made my eyes cross.”
“I got my Brownie first aid badge.”
Why she was having this silly conversation when she knew what he had in his pocket, and what he'd seen, she didn't know. But, if she could suspend time for just a few snatched moments, she'd take it, because soon those photos would have to be shown to the sheriff.
He gave her a smile that made little lines form around the corners of his eyes.
“Nice work. I have no doubt that anything you want to do you will, if you haven’t already, honey. But let me tell you my secret that you've sworn an oath not to share.”
Macy nodded.
“When I saw my father the other day I was terrified. Fear raced through me like fire, and I had to make myself stand there and face him. Fear, Macy, not power. Because I will never again allow that man any hold over me, just like you won’t let pencil dick do the same.”
His eyes were serious now, intent.
Macy closed the few inches between them and pressed her lips to his softly.
“Thank you for believing in me, and thank you for seeing me as strong. I promise to keep your secret safe.”
He kissed her back.
“You're welcome.”
“We need to take those photos to Cubby now, Brad.”
“If that's what you want then that's what we'll do.”
“But do you think I should?”
“Your call entirely, but it's a sound one if you're asking me.”
