“Matt, darling, I don’t think you understand,” I hear Andy’s mother try to intrude. “You see…” Her words trail off as I fix her with a stare that I’ve used on hardened assassins. This society matron is no match. She sinks down in her seat.
“You must be one of the most terrible mothers I’ve ever encountered,” I growl at her. She makes a squeaking sound at the back of her throat. “Do you realize that you just told me about how your child was sexually assaulted then publicly humiliated…and you blamed her? What the fuck is wrong with you?” She shakes her head.
“Don’t you speak to my wife like that!” Andy’s father snarls from across the table.
“Oh, don’t you worry, Carter,” I sneer. “I’m saving the best for you. I have a fair idea of the type of dealings you’re involved in. Make no mistake…I could see to it that hell rains down on you.”
To his credit, the man has enough backbone not to shrink as his wife just did. But I see a flicker of something in his eyes.
Fear.
I recognize it. Can smell it on him. As I tower over him, he dips a look at my bunched fists. For all his arrogance and posturing, Broderick Carter has only ever dabbled in the world I belong in. But he knows what I am. At least, he thinks he does.
And he backs right down.
“I…I apologize,” he says hoarsely. “My congratulations to both of you.” He aims a look at Andy, then back at me. His wife stares at him as if he’s lost his mind.
“Thank you, Daddy,” Andy’s voice is so tiny I want to gather her to my chest and get her the fuck out of here.
“Broderick?” Stephanie Carter says.
“Our daughter is expecting,” he says to her. “We have a grandchild to look forward to.” The woman looks like she’d rather stick needles in her eyes. She’s not grandmother material. Meanwhile, Andy is huddled across the table as if waiting for another assault.
“I’m sure you’ll understand that I need to get Andy home safely,” I say calmly. Broderick nods curtly. I move around the table and reach for her hand.
“Let’s go, angel,” I murmur. When she stands, I pull her into the curve of my body and hold her near me. These people are fucking animals.
Neither rises to see us out as we leave. Andy doesn’t bid them goodbye, and I don’t wait for her to. I can tell that she’s shaken. It must be like facing the demons that only ever rear their heads in your nightmares.
She doesn’t say a word until we’re both safely in the car. Driving away from the property leaves me with the sense of something dark and ugly being left in our wake. No wonder she’s so brittle. So viciously vulnerable.
“Thank you,” she finally says.
“It was nothing.” I shoot a look at her. She licks her lips – that tiny sensual movement again. Although now it feels wrong to read more into it. Now that I know what she holds in her past.
Fifteen. Jesus Christ.
What kind of parents allow that to happen to their child?
The kind whose son also ends up dead at twenty. What a pair of fuckers. They deserve each other.
“Not nothing,” she says huskily. She reaches a hand to my thigh and gives a squeeze. “You stood up for me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I frown.
“I don’t know…I… Why would you?” she turns the question back at me. That makes my frown deepen.
Why would I, indeed?
“It’s what any decent person would do,” I reply.
“I must not know many decent people, then,” she says softly. I steal another look at her. Her hand tightens on my thigh. Her eyes search my face. Wide. Wondering. It makes my heart clench. I can only imagine how hard she’s had to fight for herself in this family. But they fight dirty. The fire’s been beaten out of her. I’m not going to let that happen again.
“Why don’t you get some rest?” I suggest. It’s barely mid-afternoon, but I can see she’s been wrung out. “There’s a two-hour drive ahead of us. You look like you could use it.”
“Thanks,” she says, adjusting her seat to tilt it back. “Wake me when we reach town.”
“Sure,” I tell her.
