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She snorts, her brows raised in disbelief. “Are you kidding? It wasn’t the slightest bit awkward to essentially walk into your office and say, ‘Hey, you need to fuck my best friend because she’s thinking some crazy shit that I know isn’t true.’ I mean, come on, that’s normal, right?” Her voice is laced with sarcasm.
A howl of laughter rushes out of me, causing Savannah to jump. Her lips twitch and within seconds, she joins in.
Wiping her eyes, she tries to get control of herself. “I’m sorry to be so blunt, but those words I just said were what I was thinking the entire time and trying hardnotto say.”
I wave my hand, still trying to get myself under control. “I’m glad you didn’t. I may have started laughing and we would never have had this conversation.”
She giggles, her hand on her stomach. “I’m glad I could make you laugh. Seriously, Will, there is no one who knows Everleigh better than you. It’s obvious how much you love her every time you look at her. Release your guilt and do what you do best. Give her what sheneeds.”
The lightness in my chest has me feeling like I’m floating on air as I jump to my feet, grabbing Savannah in a hug.
“Where is Everleigh?” I say as I pull back.
“She told me she was going to take a bath before—”
Interrupting her with a whoop, I run toward the door. “Even better. I’ve gotta go see my woman, right now.”
Savannah laughs, waving her hand. “Go. Bryan and I will review more things on Colin and… stuff.”
Pausing with my hand on the doorknob, I give her a sympathetic smile, knowing she’s referring to Ronnie, her stepdad.
Waving me away, she says, “Get out of here, Will.”
Throwing her a quick wave, I open my office door, running toward my bedroom as fast as I can.
It’s time I give Everleigh what she needs.
All of me.
twenty-five
Everleigh
Musicplayssoftlyfromthe speaker on the stand beside me, filling the room with melodic notes meant to relax me. As I sink lower into the tub, the bubbles rise to my chin, the scent of vanilla swirling around me. Usually, all of this would ease my stress and anxiety, pulling me from the depression that tugs me into the darkness.
A long, mournful sigh escapes my lips as I lift one leg. The ligature marks from the ropes that were tied around my ankles taunt me, serving as a constant reminder of that concrete hell I was held captive in.
A lock of hair from my messy bun falls into my face. Lifting one hand from the water to push it behind my ear, my breath stutters as I gaze at the scabs intermixed with the raw, angry marks from the ropes that bound my wrists.
No wonder Will doesn’t want to have sex with me.
The ugly marks serve as a constant reminder of the trauma I endured.
Contaminating and victimizing me.
Leaning my head back against the bath pillow, my vision blurs as tears fill my eyes.
Colin took a lot more than I could have possibly imagined when he kidnapped me.
Even though he’s being held somewhere, waiting for William to torture and kill him, the wedge he’s successfully driven between Will and me seems to grow wider daily.
As tears stream down my cheeks, the bathroom door flies open, startling me so much that I slip, sinking further into the water. Before I can go under, strong arms grip me, pulling me up and holding onto me.
My hand flies up, trying to wipe the suds from my face. The scent of spice and woods intermixed with the vanilla, and I can’t help but suck in a big inhale, breathing Will’s aroma into my lungs and holding it there, before exhaling.
I’ve missed him, even though he hasn’t left my side.
One hand releases my arm, then a soft towel pats my face.
