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‘Holden made you do it?’ Skye asked gently.

TJ wanted to scoff at that. There were choices in life. Personal responsibilities.

But then Skye got up off his lap, and she walked up to Rhett King.

TJ tensed, ready to intervene if he had to.

Skye didn’t touch Rhett, only said, ‘I’ve seen you before. At the hospital in Denver. You were in the waiting room.’

Rhett sniffed proudly. ‘Got jumped by some thugs downtown.’

Skye nodded kindly. ‘Look, I won’t say it’s okay, because it’s never okay to hurt an animal. And that horse …’ When her voice cracked, she trailed off until she’d composed herself. ‘That horse is the most important thing in my life after my people. But I know, Rhett, what it’s like to do things you don’t want to do because someone bigger and stronger is holding all the cards.’

Rhett managed to meet her eyes at that, and TJ was mortified to see that the kid was on the verge of tears.

‘My mom got me a goldfish once,’ Skye continued. ‘For my birthday. Because Holden didn’t like pets. He said they were dirty. I forgot to clean his bowl once. Once. And Holden made me put him down the garbage disposal – alive. I was seven.’

TJ exhaled tightly through the fury.

Janey said, ‘Excuse me, I’ll go make some sandwiches,’ and disappeared inside.

‘He said he’s gonna send me to prison. The adult one.’ When the first tear fell down Rhett’s cheek, he angrily swiped it away. TJ watched as the kid forced his spine straight, pasted a cocky smirk over his fear, and said, ‘I’m too pretty to go to the Big House.’

Matthew tapped him on the back of the head.

Skye smiled tiredly. ‘How did you meet Holden, Rhett?’

Rhett’s posture took a hit. ‘He does some charity work …’

‘He was your attorney?’

‘Yeah. I got nabbed for possession with intent,’ he added proudly. ‘A kilo of white girl.’

At Skye’s blank look, Matthew explained, ‘Cocaine.’

‘But I didn’t say nothin’.’

‘Anything,’ Matthew corrected. ‘You didn’t say anything.’

‘I’m no rat. Figured I’d spend a year in juvie.’ He shrugged. ‘Better than another foster home anyway. Regular meals.’ Rhett tried for a cocky grin, but all TJ saw was pain. ‘I was only in a couple of days, though. Next thing I know, my social worker’s there. She says she managed to get in touch with some fancy law firm that does work for free. Community service type stuff.’

‘And in walks Holden.’

‘He looked like a God,’ Rhett said distractedly. ‘All fancy and slick. Powerful. He was nice – during our interviews and stuff.’

‘And then it changed,’ Skye prompted.

‘The moment I got out.’

Skye sat down on the porch steps and patted the space next to her. ‘What were you supposed to do?’

Rhett sat, but he kept a good distance, mistrustful of even that casual gesture. ‘Scare you. Kill the horse,’ he whispered. ‘Vandalize.’

‘Not hurt me?’

Rhett shook his head. ‘I’m sorry. I … I panicked. I saw him – Marchant – at the rodeo. And I thought, He’s here because I haven’t done enough. But I didn’t want to hurt you. I thought it would break when you got on. ’Cause the saddle kinda pulls to the side a bit, you know …’

‘You’ve been watching – the horses?’