Don't Make a Sound (Sawyer Brooks #1)(70)

“Go on,” Aria said as she followed the navigator’s instructions on how to get to the house where they were raised. “What did he do to you?”

“He raped me,” Harper said. “I was six the first time he touched me.”

Aria growled. “I want to kill him.”

“I did too, but I couldn’t do it. I think I was thirteen when he began to visit on a regular basis. That’s when I made a deal with him. He could have me. I wouldn’t fight him. But if he dared touch you or Sawyer, I would make sure everyone in River Rock knew what he’d done.”

There were few cars on the road. Aria pulled to the side, put the car in park, and looked at Harper. Aria simply sat there, shaking her head, her eyes filled with tears. “No wonder you’re so fucked up.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Oh, Harper.” Aria fell across the middle divider and threw her arms awkwardly around her.

They sat there for a few minutes, Harper’s head resting against Aria’s. Their arms twisted around each other.

After they moved away from each other, Aria pushed her hair out of her eyes. “This is a lot to take in. I am so sorry.”

“Don’t,” Harper said. This was even harder to talk about than she thought it would be. An ounce of relief mixed with pounds of angst. “I don’t know how to say this, but I don’t think I can stand the thought of you feeling sorry for me.”

“That’s okay,” Aria said. “I get it. I also understand why you always called him by his first name.” Aria looked deep in thought before she asked, “Was there a reason you called Mom by her first name, or was it guilt by association?”

“She knew,” Harper said. “I saw her watching.”

“Son of a bitch. Fucking cunt and whore.”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

Aria took the car out of park and merged onto the road, and Harper was thankful to be moving on. Opening up like that was making it difficult for her to breathe. She used a tissue to wipe at her eyes.

Two minutes later, they passed the driveway, where they both took note of Sawyer’s car. Not a good sign. Aria drove ahead, and once they were far enough away from the house, they both climbed out.

“Wait five minutes before you approach the house and knock on the door,” Aria instructed. “I’m going to head up the hill and make my way to the cottage where Sawyer told me she was staying.”

“What do you want me to do?” Harper asked.

“If Mom or Dad are home and they let you inside, play it cool. Tell them you’re older and wiser now, and you wanted to talk to them. Make up something.”

“Like what?”

“Tell her about the book you’re writing.”

“Very funny.”

“What?” Aria sighed. “Talk about anything that comes to mind, but keep her occupied long enough for me to get to the cottage.”

Aria started to walk away. She stopped, turned back, and said, “Do you have a weapon? Anything to protect yourself with?”

Harper pulled a stun gun from one pocket and pepper spray from the other.

“Nice.”

“What about you?” Harper asked.

“I’ve got it covered. See you soon.”

“Be careful,” Harper said.

“You too.”



Aria made sure her gun was snug in her waistband. She’d bought the gun when she’d turned eighteen. Keeping low, she crept through the woodsy area of the property.

The second Harper was out of sight, Aria sucked in air and fell to her knees. She looked up to the sky and inwardly screamed. How was it possible she never knew Dad was sneaking into Harper’s room?

And Mom knew?

Uncle Theo wasn’t the only monster in the family, it seemed. The whole thing felt surreal, and yet everything about her sister suddenly made sense. She’d never understood why Harper acted out in disturbing ways. Before they escaped River Rock, Harper had taken everything she did right to the edge of the cliff. Too much partying, drinking, and drugs. Too much dancing and flirting.

It all made sense now. Everything Harper had done was her attempt at escaping. Aria shivered at the thought of Sawyer being left alone with Mom, Dad, and Uncle Theo for all those years.

And now here they were, all three of them, back in River Rock.

Full circle.

Her fingers rolled into tight fists.

She forced herself to breathe. Pull yourself together. Pushing to her feet, Aria kept her focus on Sawyer. Their little sister was in trouble and needed them. Maybe now more than ever.

Aria looked around and took note of the path up the hill that would lead her to the side yard. Some of the trees had filled in, and the fence was new, but for the most part, everything looked as she remembered.

The leaves crunched beneath her feet as she hiked upward. A minute later she was at the gate. Standing on tiptoe, she reached over, relieved when her fingers brushed across the old familiar wire. She pulled on it. The wire lifted the metal fastener on the other side, and she was able to push the gate open and enter the backyard. She could see the cottage from where she stood. There were no lights on inside. To her right she saw the main house and the side door leading into the kitchen, where a dim light had been left on. There were also two bedroom lights on.