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Everyone had been so kind these last few days. Even the arseholes who’d gossiped about me weeks before rallied and brought me treats and well wishes. Mum had even popped around that first day, which surprised me. Forde … well, I’d unblocked him, and we’d texted every day, though he was giving me physical space.

While I appreciated it, I had to admit … I missed him.

Ever since we were kids, Taran had been like a big sister to me. She’d always had time for me. Patience. Advice. Support. If there was one person I could confide in without judgment, it was her. “What if I only feel safe with one person and he’s a man? Does that make me weak?”

For a second, she frowned like she wasn’t sure I was serious. Then she guffawed when she realized I was. “If that’s true, then most of us are weak.” She took a step toward me. “Cammie … before Quinn and I got back together, the only person who made me feel safe was my mum. Do you think that made me weak?”

“No, of course not.” My heart hurt for her loss, though.

“Now, the only person who makes me feel safe is Quinn. Does that make me weak because he’s a man?”

I grimaced. “Of course not.”

“Then why are you holding yourself to impossible standards of independence?”

“It’s not … it’s … my situation is complicated. It’s not just about relying on him to feel safe. I don’t want to be pushed out of my own home because of some sick arsehole.”

“And I get that. But Cammie, it only happened four nights ago. You don’t get over something as scary as that because you want to. You’re welcome to stay with us until you’re ready to come back here. Even if it’s only until your stitches are out and you’re on your feet again. I would feel better if you stayed with us until you’re fully mobile. Frankly, I’d feel better if you stayed with us until this creep is caught. I know Quinn would too.”

Oh, my brother had made that perfectly clear when he got angry at me for stubbornly refusing his request to stay with him until the perpetrator was behind bars.

A massive part of me wanted to turn around and leave with Taran. Yet another part of me was worried if I did that, I’d never think of this place as home again. The chance of this guy coming back was extremely slim, and the stubborn beast in me wanted to send him a message.

Screw him!

I wasn’t afraid of him or anybody.

Even though that was a lie, I found myself shaking my head. “No, I want to stay here.”

Taran’s face fell. “Cammie⁠—”

“Taran, please, I need to do this.”

“Hullo?” The front door swung open and Mum stood on the threshold with a basket in hand. “Thought I’d bring you some goodies to help you settle back in.”

“Great, because I have a checkup appointment.” Taran eyed me. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Thank you. Love you.”

“I love you too.” She squeezed my arm and patted Mum’s shoulder as she passed.

“Bye, sweetheart,” Mum called after her. She smiled as she turned to me. “Your brother and Taran are going to make the most beautiful baby, eh?”

I smiled wearily. “That’s for certain.”

“I can’t wait to be a gran again.” Mum closed the door and then held up the basket. “Brought some of your favorites.”

“Thanks.” I moved to take it and realized it was never going to happen while I was still on these crutches.

Mum tsked. “I’ll put it in the kitchen. You want a cup of tea? I put some of that chamomile rose you love in here.”

“Aye, thanks.”

I watched her stroll into the kitchen just off the living room, wondering what was going on in Mum’s head. She’d turned up at Quinn’s the day I’d left Forde’s and she’d seemed agitated and extremely uncomfortable with the idea that something bad had happened to me. In fact, she’d pretty much avoided talking to me about it and spent the whole time talking to Taran about pregnancy. Quinn had left to get food at some point, so it was just Mum, Taran, and me. I’d cracked a joke about how much Taran needed to pee and Mum had retorted sharply, “It puts extreme pressure on your bladder, Cammie. You’d know that if you’d ever bothered to settle down and get pregnant.”

It was the most cutting thing my mum had ever said to me, and I had no idea what I’d done to incite her wrath, especially considering what I’d recently gone through.

Taran, who was typically mild-mannered until you pissed her off, had chided Mum. “She was joking, Janice. I don’t think that was called for.”