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“I’m so sorry. That was—”
“It doesn’t matter what it was. I shouldn’t have stopped watching for a second.”
“He’s old enough to take a bath by himself.”
“He’s only seven. What was I thinking?”
“Ruby, how old were you when you started taking a bath by yourself?”
“I don’t know. Five, I think.”
“So was I. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He was doing so well. He was talking. He was eating. Playing with the puppies. I never imagined…”
“You couldn’t have known what he’d try. Please. You didn’t do anything wrong, baby.”
The man named Talon talks to me. “You’re safe now. There’s no need for your pact anymore.”
I pull away just a little. “But Dale said—”
“Shh. When was the last time you talked about the pact?”
“In the room. Before you came.”
“Well, things are different now, aren’t they? You’re here, and no one here will hurt you.”
“But Dale won’t talk. Not even to me.”
“Dale is just… Dale’s going through some stuff. But it’s over now. He’ll come around. I’ll make sure he’s okay.”
I sink my head against his chest again. Is he right? Is it okay not to be strong right now? Is it okay to like this man? The others? To believe them?
“Donny!” Dale’s voice. “Are you all right?”
I lift my head from the big man’s chest. “I’m sorry, Dale. I tried.”
“No!” Dale grabs me and hugs me. “No, God. I’m so sorry. I never meant… I’m so glad you’re okay. That you’re alive.”
“But we made a pact.”
“It was a stupid pact. We were starving and hurting. But now we’re not. I want to live, Donny, and I want you to live too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CALLIE
The hoppy flavor of the Fat Tire Jesse brought me hits the spot like even Diet Coke couldn’t tonight. Already it’s the early hours of the morning. Rory and I both have work tomorrow, but man, it feels nice to relax.
I’m not thrilled that Jesse knows about our Pat Lamone issue—most specifically the compromising photos of his little sisters—but in all honesty, it feels good to have his strength on our side.
He and Rory are talking about that night, and I’m listening.
“It was ten years ago,” he says. “Donny and I weren’t there very long and didn’t drink any of that shit.”
“Be glad you didn’t,” Rory says. “Callie made me promise not to have any more of it after she saw Carmen acting weird, but honestly? I’d have drunk another whole cup. It was that good.”
“What was so remarkable about it?” Jesse asks. “Looked like basic trash can punch to me.”
