Rory collapses sideways, sobbing into the concrete.
Livy’s song wobbles but keeps going.
Good girl.
Brave girl.
Maverick stands slowly.
For a second, he simply looks down at Rory.
There’s no satisfaction on his face.
No joy.
No release.
Only promise.
“This is not your punishment,” he says. “I have so much more planned for you.”
Rory curls around his broken hand, shaking violently.
Footsteps thunder above us.
Spike appears at the top of the stairs with his gun drawn and takes in the room.
Rory on the floor. Livy tucked between my legs, singing through tears while I cover her ears.
Maverick standing over him with blood on his knuckles and death in his eyes.
“How the hell did you get here so fast?” Spike mutters.
“Take him to Patch’s and put him with Victor. The twins will be by to collect them tomorrow.”
Spike comes down the stairs, followed by two men I’ve never met.
Rory tries to crawl away, but Spike plants one boot between his shoulder blades and presses him flat to the concrete while the two men get in position to somehow pick him up and drag him kicking and screaming up the steps.
Maverick turns away like the sound means nothing and comes back to us.
The second he kneels in front of Livy, the monster vanishes, and the man who loves her gently caresses the hot spot on her face.
I lower my hands and tuck them under the thin blanket.
“You can stop singing now,piccola.”
Her song breaks into a sob.
“Daddy.”
“I’m here.” His voice is rough now. “I’m here, baby.”
“Uncle Steffy’s really alive?”
“Yes.”
“You promise?”
