Fractured Sky (Tattered & Torn #5)(70)

He let out a long breath. “It’s possible it might only end up in the police blotter at the back.”

Shiloh’s shoulders tightened as Hayes spoke, visible tension weaving through the muscles.

The local paper had run countless stories on Shiloh’s kidnapping over the years, including coverage on each parole hearing after. I moved in behind her, digging my thumbs into the spaces along her spine. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not the end of the world.”

“They’re vultures.” And I knew exactly how it felt to have them circling, searching for any morbid detail they could find and not giving a damn that they were slowly destroying you in the process.

Shiloh leaned into my arm, seeking more contact.

Hayes cleared his throat. “I’ll do what I can to keep this under wraps, but it’ll become a matter of public record at some point.”

Shiloh turned to her brother, her expression turning stern. “It’s not on you. Don’t take any more of this on your shoulders.”

His lips twitched. “You sound like Ev.”

“I take that as the highest compliment.”

“You should.” Hayes pushed his chair back and stood. “I’m going to get this dusted for prints. It’s on a flyer, so it was obviously a heat-of-the-moment choice. They might’ve been careless enough not to wear gloves.”

I hoped like hell that was the case and that we could finally know for sure who was behind these threats and send them away for good.

Hayes reached out a hand to me, and I shook it. He gripped my palm tighter for a moment. “Thanks for having my sister’s back.”

“Always.” It was a vow, and he heard that loud and clear.

Shiloh stood, giving her brother a quick hug. “Thanks for everything.”

“You need anything, just call.”

“I will.”

He grinned at her. “I’m actually starting to believe that for once.”

She gave him a playful shove. “Get out of here and go get some donuts.”

Hayes chuckled and headed out the door of the guest cabin.

Kai climbed out of his bed and moved to Shiloh’s side, nosing her for some affection. She scratched behind his ears, but her eyes stayed trained on me. “You okay?”

“You get a disgusting letter, have to file a restraining order, figure out that your name might be all over the papers, and you’re asking me if I’m okay?”

She shrugged. “You were quiet the whole time Hayes was here.”

Because it had taken all my focus to keep my rage in check. “Just thinking.”

“About how to get away with murder?”

I barked out a laugh. Only Shiloh could make me laugh when it felt as if I were burning alive. “I think you might know me a little too well.”

She moved into my space, wrapping her arms around me and pressing her face to my chest. “Don’t go murdering anyone just yet. Give Hayes a chance to deal with things the legal way.”

“I hate feeling powerless. And feeling that way when you’re in danger is a special kind of torture.”

Shiloh’s hands twisted in my flannel shirt. “You and I have both built this sense of control over things in our lives. But the truth is it’s just an illusion. A fa?ade. No one can truly control the world around them.”

I rested my chin on Shiloh’s head, breathing her in. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job this past decade or so.”

“Because you locked out the world around you. Didn’t let anyone in. There are people in your world now—ones you care about.” She tipped her head back, searching my face. “Do you regret that?”

My hands went to her face, cupping her cheeks. “I could never regret you. Even when it hurts, I want to feel that pain because you make me remember that I’m alive.”





35





SHILOH





“Just like that. Perfect,” I said to Elliott with a smile as I patted Sky’s neck.

Elliott ran the brush over Sky’s belly. “It doesn’t hurt her, does it?”

My heart squeezed. Despite growing up in the environment this boy had, there wasn’t a mean or cruel bone in his body. He was all goodness and light. It was the same miracle Everly had managed.

“She loves getting groomed. I think it feels like a head scratch to her.” I reached over and demonstrated on Elliott.

He giggled. “That feels good.” He focused back on Sky and his task. “Can I help with this every time I come?”

I glanced over at Ramsey in question. He and Aidan were bathing another horse. Ramsey squeezed out a sponge. “I’ve been thinking I could use some extra help with the grooming,” he said.

Elliott’s entire face lit up. “Really?”

Ramsey nodded. “We’ve got a lot of horses around here. It takes a lot of hours to keep them looking good.”

“I don’t think I’ve even ever counted them all,” Elliott said.

Aidan grinned as he rinsed off the bay gelding. “Thanks, Ramsey,” he said so quietly I could barely hear.

“It’s me who should be thanking you guys. I can basically kick back and relax with all the help you’ve been giving me.”