Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(55)

“This isn’t that.” I knew where he was going. And it wasn’t that I didn’t want that with Shiloh. I wanted her more than my next breath. But I refused to potentially hurt her.

Hayes arched a brow. “I’m just asking you to tread carefully.”

“I’d cut off my own arm before I cause her any pain.”

Hayes stared down at the sea of letters again. “She’s been hurt too much already.” He was silent for a moment. “It’s why I went to work for the sheriff’s department. Maybe it’s my way of doing good with the bad, trying to help others who are in those desperate situations.”

“I can’t think of a better reason to become a cop.”

Hayes’ lips twitched. “Sheriff.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, yeah.”

The amusement fled Hayes’ expression. “She’s let you in more than anyone I’ve ever seen. Please, take care of my sister.”

My chest constricted, air barely making it into my lungs. It scared the hell out of me, but there was no other option. I’d give anything for Shiloh. Because she’d found a way through the walls I’d spent so much time fortifying. And she’d brought light to a place I’d thought would be dark forever.





26





SHILOH





My head thrummed as I waited for everyone to leave. I did my best to keep the tension out of my expression, but it was a losing battle. “I’ll go see Mom and Dad tomorrow. Explain things.”

Hadley winced. “Want me to come with you?”

“I think I need to do it alone.”

She reached out and squeezed my hand, quickly releasing it. “Call me if you change your mind.”

“Thanks.”

Hayes balanced the box of letters on his hip. “I’ll stop by their place tomorrow morning and give them the lay of the land.”

I started to argue, but Hayes held up a hand. “This isn’t me thinking you can’t handle it. This is a big brother taking one for the team. They’re going to lose it, and it’ll be better for everyone involved if they let that out before you guys talk.”

He had a point there. Trying to talk about the past was difficult for me on a good day. If Mom was freaking out at the same time, it would be a disaster.

“Thank you.”

His lips twitched. “Oh, there will be payback. You’re going to say yes to being one of Ev’s bridesmaids. And you’re going to wear whatever dress she picks out.”

Hadley laughed as Calder wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That’s harsh, Bubby.”

Hayes grinned. “I know how to play the sibling game.”

“A little too well,” I muttered.

He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to the top of my head. “You’ll have fun. I promise.”

“Maybe if I didn’t have to wear a dress.” And if a crowd of people wouldn’t be there, watching me. But I’d deal with it for my brother. And for Ev.

Calder opened the front door and held it for Hadley and Hayes. “Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Hayes nodded at Ramsey and sent me one last look as he headed out the door. “We’ll talk tomorrow as soon as I have an update.”

That wasn’t his usual. Typically, Hayes didn’t want to share anything with me that he thought might bring on bad memories. “That would be good. Thanks.”

He lifted his chin in farewell and pulled the door shut. The second it snicked closed, Ramsey switched off the lights in the dining area and strode towards me. “You’re hurting.”

Of course, he saw everything I tried to keep hidden.

“Just a little.”

“Liar.”

He guided me back towards the couch, and I lowered myself to the cushions.

“Do you want some more Tylenol? Something to eat?”

“No, I’m okay. Turning down the light helped.”

Ramsey sank onto the couch. His hand found mine on the back of it, his thumb tracing circles on my skin. “I’d do anything to take it away.”

My heart thudded against my ribs. “It really isn’t that bad. Just a knock to the head.”

His jaw clenched. “It could’ve been so much worse.”

I squeezed Ramsey’s hand, bringing his attention to me. “But it wasn’t. Because I know how to handle myself.”

“I know you do. It’s not that. I just…”

“Don’t want to see me hurting.” I felt the same way about him.

“I hate it.”

My lips curved. “Whoever it was is likely hurting a hell of a lot more than I am.”

I saw the slightest flicker of movement around Ramsey’s mouth. “I hope you burst a ball.”

I choked on a laugh. “Brutal.”

“Damn straight.” He picked up the circles on my hand again. “It was brave. Not just fighting back but sharing everything you did with your family.”

I swallowed hard. “It was time.” Guilt flared again for keeping everything hidden for so long. “I want a good relationship with them, one where they don’t have to worry—something normal.”

Ramsey’s brows pulled together. “I don’t know that any family is normal.”