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“Can I talk to you for a second? In private?” I ask, taking her hand and dragging her out into the hallway, where I lower my voice. “Listen, I hate to drop this on you and run, but I gotta go.”
“Not until you explain.”
Fuck.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
RIGGER
“Igot the thing with the Costas figured out, which means Ray is fair game,” I say carefully.
I’ve been honest with Navy about my plans to kill Ray, so this isn’t news, but without a timeline, she must’ve thought about it in the abstract, not in the definite way I was, because the look she gives me is straight-up sad.
“Rigger,” she whispers.
“Let’s deal with that part later. Right now, all you need to know is that we got to the house, and Laura was like she is now, only covered in blood. Lucky cleaned her up, and I found Ray with a butcher knife in his shoulder.” I wish I knew how to sugarcoat this, but I don’t.
“I didn’t think she had it in her.”
“Me neither. If I were to guess, it’s good she did because she has fresh marks around her throat, and I’m sure you noticed her eye.”
She stifles a sob. “Oh god.”
“So, I got Ray downstairs, and I didn’t know what to do with your mom. I figured you’d want to help her through this.” I brush her hair off her shoulder and run my hand down her back.
“Yeah, of course.” She blinks back tears. “This is so fucked up.”
“Not gonna disagree, but are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I’ll come check on you in a bit and have housekeeping get a room ready for your mom.”
“She can stay with me,” she suggests.
“Not a chance. I get your mom needs some support right now, but you do too. We’ll get her settled somewhere tonight while I take care of you.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “No, babe. Don’t cry. It’ll be okay.”
She shakes her head, sniffling. “I’m not crying. Well, I mean, I am, but not for the reason you think. All these years, I’ve only prayed to God for one thing. For someone to put me first. What you said just now made me realize my prayers have been answered.”
I hold her to my chest, my black heart breaking for the girl who spent so many years without anyone to tell her how goddamn special she is.
“I love you,” I murmur, my lips pressed to the top of her head.
Her arms wrap around my middle. “I love you too.”
“Do you need something before I go?”
“No. We’ll be fine. You go ahead.”
I release her, but before she can go back inside, I grip her by the back of her neck and kiss the shit out of her, vowing that she’ll always know how much she means to me.
“Be back soon.”
“Okay.” She watches as I walk to the door. “And Rigg?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“Kill him good.”
