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“You earned the love of your town.”
“And you made that possible,” he says just as quick. “Didn’t you?”
“Whoa, the fuck...” Royce slowly pushes to his feet. “Are you saying she… that there was never...”
“It was one person all along.” Maddoc glares.
Raven’s eyes widen.
Royce looks to Captain.
And Captain, he shuffles closer, never breaking eye contact. “Why?”
“Because she felt it,” Raven whispers, but only her husband turns toward her.
Her gaze lands on me, and she gives a small smile.
Captain’s knuckle presses below my chin, guiding my face to his.
His eyes search mine, repeating, “Why, Beauty?”
I answer his desperate plea.
“Because all my life I listened to the filth people had hidden inside them. I was the shadow behind their ugly, an unseen threat, felt and feared, but the second I realized secrets didn’t exist solely for blackmail, as I was told, my purpose shifted. I sought out every secret I could find and did what was needed to right the wrongs.”
Captain blows out a low, ragged breath, both hands lifting, sliding along my cheeks and holding my head in place.
The others watch on, not a word spoken, not a breath heard.
Captain’s eyes, a gut-wrenching, glorious green tonight, beg for something, but I don’t think it’s me they want something from.
It’s himself.
To believe in the words the little liar before him speaks when he so gently and torturously asks his one-worded question. “Zoey?”
Moisture builds in my eyes and I swallow, giving a curt nod, clenching my teeth to keep my jaw from trembling.
He shakes his head, coming closer, his forehead dropping to mine while his eyes keep mine locked in. “Say it out loud. Tell me you are the one who left me proof. Tell me you snuck those hospital records into my bag. Tell me you are the one who led me to my baby girl.”
My lips part on a sharp exhale.
Please, his eyes implore.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I put them there for you to find.”
His hold on me tightens, shakes, and then suddenly it’s gone, and just as quickly, he is too.
I’m left standing at the head of the Brayshaw table, Raven, Maddoc, and Royce staring right at me.
Raven catches me off guard when tears roll down her cheek, but she doesn’t swipe angrily at them, doesn’t fight the emotions she normally hates to show.
I look away, meeting Royce’s gaze as he takes three steps toward me.
“Three years, VicVee.” Royce’s words are coated with a heavy gravel. “You were here for three fuckin’ years, quiet as a mouse but as slick as a fucking fox.” He grabs my hand, pulling me into him. His lips find my ear as he hugs me. “Should we be proud or pissed, baby girl?”
“Did you know foxes hunt smaller than wolves,” I whisper. “And in return the wolves look the other way?”
He chuckles, releasing me and perching against the edge of the table.
Maddoc slides his arms around Raven, laying his palms across her stomach and hers lift to lace into his. He asks, “Are we fools for not seeing? You lived on our property. Went to our school. How’d we miss this?”
“Rich people see no threat in those who have nothing. You were taught to stare past a girl like me, not through. I was taught to focus where no one dared. I see what you can’t. You see what I want you to.”
“But you fucked up,” Maddoc adds the obvious.
A scoffed laugh leaves me, and I nod. “Yeah, well. It’s been a hell of a couple weeks.”
Raven’s lips twitch.
Captain’s voice cuts through the room, and our heads snap his way.
“We have rules.” He swallows beyond the strain in his words, and an airiness makes its way through my body.
Brayshaw rules.
I nod, and he continues.
“No one is allowed here, but you know that already. No drugs are allowed in this house, but the weed in your bag will be fine once it’s where my daughter can’t reach.” He eyes me a long moment, then adds. “We eat dinner together, every night, no exceptions.”
“Oh shit,” Royce whispers with a small chuckle, and Maddoc smacks the back of his head.
Captain doesn’t look away. “If you can’t cook, we can teach you.” He pauses, and the tight pull at his shoulders eases some as he fights to let go. “Raven sucks, so don’t ask her for help.”
She laughs, and I find myself letting a small smile slip as his does, but he quickly clears his throat and walks away, only to come right back again.
His glare is hard, but his words are much, much more.
“Unpack your shit, Victoria. Now. Tonight. All of it. And sleep under the covers, not on top.”
And then he’s gone, and a dangerous, risky sensation runs through me.
Hope.
“Hey, uh, RaeRae, you should loan me your headphones tonight.”
My eyes fly to Royce’s and he pops a brow.
Raven laughs, dragging her man from the kitchen, and Royce follows them out.
