Rellik(45)

“I’m so sorry.” I couldn’t fathom the idea of Bryce’s cycle of abuse continuing. My eyes searched hers as I struggled to ask her the questions I didn’t want to know the answers to. I pulled her against my chest, squeezing her tightly, trying to absorb her cries, take her pain as my own. My fingers clutched her hair as I held her cheek against my heart.

“This is all my fault. I should have fucking killed him eight years ago.”

She shook her head and pulled back fractionally from my chest, her eyes swimming and the red making the green even more vibrant. “It’s not too late.”





Evidence

Chapter 21—Ella

Evidence: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid

For the first time, I was able to look him in the eye and not feel shame or regret. We saw each other now for exactly who we were, without the lies and masks in place. No one suffered through the things we’d been through and came out the other side with clean hands. I needed closure, to be able to sleep again at night without the monsters plaguing my nightmares. I needed a magic shield, and that was Ryder.

“I have more than enough evidence to prove what kind of monster he is, but I need your help first.”

“What is it you need me to do, sweetheart?”

“Right now, just don’t let me go.”

He pulled me back against him, squeezing me painfully tight as I held my breath, hoping he would agree once he knew what I needed from him. This was the first time I’d confessed to anyone what I’d endured and to know that he believed me made me feel closer to him than I’d ever been to anyone in my life. But there were more confessions to be made. My past was much darker.

“This is all my fault, Ella. Had I…” His voice trailed off, his muscles growing tense against me. “I’ll do whatever it is you need.”

I let my eyes fall closed, reveling in his compassion as the rain washed away our secrets, baptizing us in our new commitment for righting the wrongs.

He pressed his lips to the top of my head. “Anyone who hurt you will regret it. I promise.” The coldness and conviction in his voice sent a chill down my spine, but I’d never felt safer. “I promise, Ella.”

I was tired of running from my past, but facing it was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done. Ryder was struggling to hold it together as it was, and facing Bryce might break the final thread of sanity he’d been clinging to. But I needed his help, and in return I’d give him the answers he’d been seeking since he was sixteen.

“Let’s get you out of the rain.” He ran his hand over my back, noticing the chill caused by his words. I tucked my damp hair behind my ears as I bent down to pick up the scattered contents of my purse, ruined from the weather.

I shoved them back in my bag as Ryder unlocked the door to the room and stepped aside for me to enter. My mind immediately went to the last night we’d spent together, but what we did paled in comparison to the intimate moment we’d just shared.

He closed the door behind us, the sound of the lock causing me to jump. “Let me get you some dry clothes.” He walked around me and placed his bag on the dresser, dripping onto the carpet as he dug through the contents.

I gripped my T-shirt and pulled it over my head, shaking my hair as it clung to my skin. Ryder’s eyes met mine before drifting over my chest.

My fingers went to the button of my jeans, undoing them and pulling the zipper down before sliding them down my legs. I stood in front of him in only damp, purple panties, completely exposed for the first time in my life.

“Ella.” His voice was laced with pain as he shook his head fractionally, gripping the bag tightly in his fists.

“Don’t do that. Don’t look at me with pity.”

“You think I pity you? You’re one of the strongest fucking women I’ve ever met. I don’t deserve to get to touch you. Not after what happened to you.”

“You’re the only person I want to touch me.”

“You don’t mean that.” He looked to the ground, the muscles jumping over his jaw, doubt plaguing him.

“Ryder, all I want right now is for you to fuck me like you’ve never wanted anyone more.” I was putting myself out on a limb, and fear of rejection caused my nerves to stand on end. The seconds it took him to think over what I said agonizing. “Please.”

“That’s easy, sweetheart.” He pulled his wet shirt over his head and tossed it on the ground, drops of water running down the ridges of his abdomen and disappearing into the waist of his boxers. Before he could change his mind, I stepped in front of him, my fingers quickly undoing the button of his jeans and sliding the zipper over his hardening cock.