Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(50)

“But it was Mom who threw down the hammer. I think she grounded him for a month. Missed Halloween and everything.”

Hadley shook her head, but her smile stayed firmly planted on her face. “This was fun. What do you say we make it a monthly date?”

For the first time since I could remember, I didn’t feel dread at being locked into plans with someone or panicked at how I would hide whatever I was feeling from my family. I wanted this kind of time with my sister. “I’d like that.”

“Me, too.” She looked down the street. “Where are you parked?”

“Around the corner.”

Hadley beeped the locks on her SUV. “Want me to drive you?”

“I think I can make it a block.”

“All right. Text me what day works for you next month.”

I moved on instinct, quickly pulling my sister into a hug and then letting go before she could say a word. “Text you tomorrow.”

I started down the sidewalk before I had a chance to take in the shock in Hadley’s eyes or give her a chance to respond. I’d hugged her once in the last decade, but that was changing now, too. My chest burned as I rounded the corner and headed for my truck, but it was a good burn, one that pushed me to live my life to its fullest.

The street was dark, but the moon made the path ahead glow. I tipped my face up as I walked, taking in the shining stars in the clear night sky. I smiled up at them. The sky was what it had always been for me: a beacon of hope. But it burned brighter tonight. The hope was even stronger.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over my mouth, and someone jerked me backwards.

I froze. All the time I’d spent honing my instincts and awareness vanished in a flash. All I could remember was how powerless I’d felt all those years ago, how out of control as the fair passed by me.

That memory jerked me out of my frozen state. My arm swung back hard, my elbow landing in my attacker’s gut. He grunted, and his hold on me loosened a fraction.

I twisted, bringing my knee up to his groin. His reaction was instantaneous. The blow hit me right in the side of the face. Light flashed, and then I was falling.





23





RAMSEY





Aidan rinsed a dish and handed it to me. “Thanks for staying. I think it made Elliott feel better.”

I glanced over my shoulder into the living room. Elliott laughed as he bumped Art Miller’s game piece off the board. I turned back, placing the plate in the dishwasher. “I’ll stay as long as you guys need.”

Aidan swallowed hard and grabbed another plate. “They seem nice.”

Art and Sandy couldn’t have been kinder. They didn’t bristle at me for making myself at home all afternoon. Sandy had given me the phone number to the house and told me to call or stop by anytime. They were gentle with Aidan and Elliott, never pushing but inviting them into their lives here. They were older, more like grandparents than parents, but I thought that might help make them seem less threatening.

I turned to Aidan. “You don’t like something, call me or just come to the ranch.”

Aidan still had his truck since he’d bought it with his own money. That gave me peace of mind. He had a way out if things ever got bad.

He ran the sponge over the plate again and again, even though it was spotless. “What happens to us after here?”

A burn lit along my sternum at the fear in Aidan’s voice. “It’s not a short process. Your father will have to be tried.”

After our run-in earlier today, I’d called Hayes to see why the hell he was walking free. Kenny had been charged, but he’d also made bail, putting his ranch up as collateral.

“I’ll have to testify.”

It wasn’t a question. And there was a steely resolve to Aidan’s words. Still, I had the urge to comfort the boy. “I’ll be with you every step.” I met his gaze. “I’ve been there. It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”

Giving the world the truth in open court had been more freeing than I could’ve imagined, even with my stepfather glaring me down.

Aidan’s jaw clenched. “I don’t want Elliott to have to testify. He’s too young.”

My chest cracked at Aidan’s fierce protectiveness of his brother. He’d taken on the role of father for the boy in every way that counted. I leaned a hip against the counter, shutting off the water. “We can talk to the district attorney. See what can be done to make this as easy on Elliott as possible.”

“He shouldn’t have to do it at all,” Aidan bit out.

“No, he shouldn’t. But you and I know that life is rarely fair.”

Aidan mumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t make out.

“But Elliott has you. He knows he isn’t alone. That’s more than so many kids have. More than you had.”

It killed me that Aidan had been alone in this for so long. I knew that battle, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy, let alone a kind, bright kid who deserved the world.

“I didn’t protect him enough.”

A jolt of pain lanced through me. I leaned forward and gripped Aidan’s shoulder. “You gave everything for him.” He’d stepped into the line of fire more times than he could probably count. Yet, he still blamed himself.