could do that would make Jasper Walker turn his back on his daughter. There’s nothing you could do that would make him love you less.”
“He’s right, my sweet girl,” my mom said, and my heart flip-flopped hearing her voice.
Sad. So sad.
“I didn’t want you to know.”
“I know you didn’t. My strong girl, always going at it alone. Quiet as a mouse making her own way, but stronger than the rest.”
“I’m not strong,” I whispered, and Trey’s hand slid from my cheek to my neck and he gave me a gentle squeeze.
My eyes lifted and I was shocked to find his eyes glossy.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out. “I’m—”
Then I wasn’t speaking because I leaned forward and buried my face into his throat. He held me while I cried. He held me when the tears subsided. And he did it even longer as I tried to catch my breath.
“How about we get you out of here so you can talk to your mom?”
“Trey?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I didn’t mean what I said.”
“I know you didn’t.” His tone was dull and his eyes were no longer glossy but they were clouded with something I didn’t understand, but it scared me. “Emily, do you mind helping Addy up?”
“Trey?”
His gaze hadn’t left mine and I saw him flinch.
“Yeah?”
“Nothing.”
He knew.
Now everything was ruined.
Just like I knew it would be.
I didn’t fight when my mom helped me stand, nor did I struggle when she led me to Trey’s bed and made me get in it. And once her arms wrapped around me and Hadley got in and pressed herself to my side, my mind blanked.
I lost him.
He knew I was ruined.
I’d been the perfect Addy with the perfect life. He now knew I was flawed.
28
I gritted my teeth as pain shot up my leg. At first, I’d welcomed the numb tingling, but the longer I was on the floor, the tingling had turned into stabbing, excruciating pain. So much so, I had to ask my woman’s mother to help her up because I couldn’t fucking do it.
“Let me help you, and before you act like a tough guy, save it,” Quinn said, and my molars ground down more.
“I got it.”
“I bet you do, but you’re not hiding that your leg’s giving you problems. So tell me what to do.”
My options were to fucking crawl to the counter like a pussy or let Quinn help me.
“Give me your hand.”
She walked closer, offered me her hand, and without delay, I hoisted myself up.
“Fuck,” I grunted and tried to get my balance. “Fucking hate this shit.”
“Sucks, doesn’t it.” I caught Quinn’s gaze and realized it wasn’t a question but a statement from someone who understood what it meant to need help.
“’Preciate your help. I’m gonna go downstairs and see to your dad.”
“Everyone’s down there.”
I figured that was the case but I appreciated the warning. And without another word, Quinn left the bathroom. I took a moment to get myself under control. It went against the grain to leave Addy’s side while she was in pain. But after all that had transpired, I knew straight to my soul she needed her mother. Emily Walker was a healer. Addy had told me herself that her mom could perform miracles. And right then, that was what Addy needed, and I needed to talk Jasper out of committing murder while at the same time trying to convince myself that killing Keith would only cause Addy more harm.
I didn’t spare a glance at the women piled on my bed. I knew if I caught sight of my Addy I wouldn’t be able to leave the room. And if someone was going to contain Jasper it had to be done immediately.
I hadn’t even hit the bottom step when Jasper filled my vision.
A vision of a father undone. Anguish and fury made for one hell of a look.
“Tell me.”
I’ll never tell you. I heard Addy’s terrified demonic voice in my head.
Jesus Christ, I’d sell my soul if I never had to hear her screech like that again.
“Need a minute.”
“I heard—”
“I bet you did. But for the last thirty minutes, I saw it. I saw it leak from her soul and when it did, I absorbed every scream, every word, and when she purged it—literally throwing up, getting it all out, I held her. So I need a goddamn minute.”
I knew my voice cracked and I didn’t give a fuck. I knew I limped to my back door and I didn’t give a fuck about that either. And lastly, I knew