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Except no mother would want to really know what had.

What he’d done.

I’d spent years evaluating it. Was it my fault? Did I tease him? I realized along the way that I wasn’t to blame. He knew I wanted him to stop and he ignored it.

She warred, turmoil waffling and weaving through her being.

I held out my hands. “I know you don’t want to do this. I know you. You’re kind, Penny. You’re kind and good. And I hate what happened. I hate it. But I was only protecting myself.”

Her eyes squeezed closed against my words.

Then we both jumped when Trevan’s voice suddenly burst into the air. “Elena, get down!”

Penny whirled in that direction, and my own eyes went wide when I saw the gun he had pointed at her.

In an instant, I knew what he intended. I couldn’t let it happen.

So, I shouted, “No!” right before I threw myself in front of her.

SEVENTY-FOUR

TREVAN

“Take the shot, man,” Brody urged from behind, itching to do it himself.

Sweat drenched my flesh as I stared at Penny pointing a gun at Elena.

My life right there. Being threatened. While torment rained down at what I was sure was happening.

Penny crying Patrick’s name over and over again.

Her agony.

Sorrow and confusion woven in the air.

She had no idea who her son really was. What he’d been capable of.

Her pain bleeding out in a current as strong as the river that crashed behind them.

Trembles rocked through me, but still, my aim was steady.

I could take her out, but fuck, I hated to do it. Was it enough to strike her in the shoulder? Incapacitate her so we could get to Elena?

What then?

Would she come after her? Hurt her?

Grief spiraled through me because how could I take that risk?

All those thoughts streaked through my brain in less than a second.

“Take it,” Silas murmured.

I had to. It was going to kill me to do it, but I would always be Elena’s protector.

So, I shut down my conscience and shouted, “Elena, get down!”

With the shock of my voice, Penny spun in my direction.