by Melody Anne
“I’m not promising anything, Avery.”
“I know, Dad, but we have the chance to help someone who really needs it. Isn’t that what a mayor does, he cares about the people . . .” I broke off at the sound of raised voices coming from down the hall.
“Think it through, man. This is your future here.” Ryan’s voice.
“Avery?” Dad said.
“I’ll call you back, Dad.” Seth was heading my way, and he looked furious. So mad that he didn’t even notice me standing there to the side.
I ended the call and, as Seth started past me, I reached out and grabbed his arm. He swung around, anger filling his face, but when he saw me, it faded.
“Avery? What are you doing here?”
“Ryan called me. He was worried about you.”
Seth’s eyes narrowed, and he glared back down the hall. “This is not going to happen again,” he ground out. “It shouldn’t have happened this time.” He shook off my hand and crossed his arms over his chest.
“If you go after him, you know what will happen. You’ll go back to prison. Who’s going to look after Sara then? This time, Davis won’t be around because he will get charged. I’ve talked to my dad . . .”
“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t protect her, and this is what happened. I can do something to keep her safe from now on, and I don’t give a fuck what happens to me.”
My heart dropped. “But what about us? What happens to us if you get sent back to prison? And what about you, Seth? What about the life you want for yourself?”
His shoulders sank, and he lowered his gaze. “I like you a lot, Avery, but while I was off playing house instead of taking care of my sister, that happened. I should have been working my ass off trying to save her. I can do something now, and I’m going to.”
“It’s not your fault, Seth.” I saw the guilt all over his face.
“It is. Don’t you see that?” he croaked. “I let her down. I was supposed to protect her. She didn’t have anyone else. I failed her, and now she’s lying in a hospital bed, a frail, broken version of the girl she should be. I didn’t even recognize her. She doesn’t look like herself anymore.”
His eyes were red rimmed, and my heart was breaking for him.
“There’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. I have to do this.”
I grabbed his arm. “Fine, but I’m going with you.”
“No, Avery, you’re not.”
I was losing him. The boy I was half in love with was going to walk away, and what happened after would change everything. A sob lodged in my throat. He had to stay.
“Stay, please. For you. For me. For us. You fight for her and I fight for us, remember?”
His eyes glittered, and he reached out and pulled me into his arms. They closed around my shoulders, holding me so tight. I buried my face in his chest and fought the tears that burned my eyes.
I felt him trembling against me.
His heart thundered in my ear.
“Avery.” His voice was hoarse and raw, and it ripped my heart apart.
I looked up. The regret in his eyes crushed the dam holding everything back. Tears streamed down over my cheeks.
“No,” I choked out.
“I’m so sorry.” He leaned down and kissed me, slow and deep and so filled with emotion that my knees buckled. I clung to him as tightly as I could until he stepped back and pulled my arms from around his waist. “But this is all I can do for her now.”
“No.” The wet, hiccupy word fell from my lips.
“Listen to her, man, please,” Ryan said from behind me. “There are people who need you. You can’t just fucking throw that all away. There are other ways to help her.”
“The other ways don’t work,” Seth ground out. “I was trying to play by the rules. No one gives a shit about people like us, Ry. Nothing is going to change because this happened. My head isn’t buried in the sand anymore. I need to step up and do what needs to be done. No more arguing. I’m going.”
And just like that, Seth turned and walked away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Seth
The look in Avery’s eyes killed me.
There was so much hope there, trust I didn’t deserve. I pounded my hands on the steering wheel and sped out of the hospital parking lot. Yes, I knew I was disappointing her, but nothing was going to stop me.
Not after seeing my sister in that bed, covered in bruises and track marks.
It would Never. Happen. Again.
I promised Sara that right before I left her room. I had to make a choice between my sister and Avery, and this time there was only one I could make. I had to give up the girl I was crazy about to keep Sara safe.
Rage gripped my insides as I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal. The truck groaned and then jumped forward. Lights flew past in the corners of my eyes. Our old house was only ten minutes from the hospital.
I made it there in six.
The run-down sign came into view. I swung the truck into the entrance of the trailer park. It was close to three in the morning, and most of the trailers were dark, save for the outside lights.
I raced up the dirt road until my old home came into view.
Dirt billowed around the truck as I slammed on the brakes. All the lights in the place were on, and I saw a shadow moving past the living room window. Every muscle in my body went tight.
Davis had destroyed my family, and it was damned near time he paid for it.
I jumped out of the truck and slammed the door. The lights were haloed in a dim red light as I stormed up the rickety steps and yanked the screen door open. How many times had I walked up these stairs, opened the door that hung on hinges so rusted it was a wonder that the damned thing never fell off?
And what about the night, months after my mother died, that Davis opened this same door and told me to get out?
I hated this house, and I hated the person inside.
I grabbed the edge of the door, gave a yank, and felt the hinges let go. A small sliver of satisfaction went through me as I tossed the door into the dirt. The inner door swung open and Davis stood there, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.
“You’re going to pay for that.”
“You won’t be around to collect,” I growled, taking a step forward.
A flash of metal stopped me cold. Was he seriously pointing a fucking gun at me?
“I’m well within my rights here. You broke in. I have a restraining order against you because you’re violent. If I shoot you, it’s clearly in self-defense.” His words were slow and slurred, but the gleam in his eyes told me he was serious.
“Sara is unconscious, in the hospital, because of you.” Anger radiated through me. No fucking way was it going to end like he wanted. “The thing is,” I ground out, “the hospital is reporting you for what you did. You are a piece of shit, and this time, you’ll lose.”
Davis shook his head. His hair was longer and greasier than I remembered. His clothes were stained, and his eyes looked bloodshot to hell. He’d always put on a normal front, claiming it was important to look put together to instill confidence in his clients, but now he was a mess. He kept sniffing and rubbing his nose. He always swore he’d never touch any of the stuff he dealt.
Looks like he’d lied about that too.
“I already called the cops,” he said. That damned smirk was back. He thought he’d won.
The sound of tires on gravel farther down the road filled the still air.
“Looks like they’re already here. You’ll be going back to prison for this, and then Sara will get out of the hospital and she’ll come back, just like she always does. You’ll lose. Again.”
Davis started to laugh, and I snapped.
Lights swung across the front of the trailer, illuminating the triumph in Davis’s eyes.
This was it, my only chance to end this fucker. He glanced over my shoulder, and that’s all I needed. I ducked my shoulder and slammed into him, sending us both flying through
the door and onto the dirty living room carpet.
I grabbed for his wrist and held it to the floor, then pried the gun from his fingers and flung it behind the couch. But Davis managed to free his other hand and connected with a left hook right on my jaw.
My head snapped back, and he used the momentum to push me off him. Another blow landed on the other side of my face before I got a good rib hit in.
We both pushed to our feet, and Davis’s gaze darted around the trailer.
“Not so big now, are you, you fucker.” I dove and slammed him up against the wall. I had him pinned and got right in his face. “The thing is, if I’m going back, it’s going to be for something worth it.” And then I pulled back and drove my fist into his gut.
And did it again.
And again.
Once I started, the haze in my head took over and I couldn’t stop. Davis’s breathing grew ragged and the moans got louder.
“Seth, stop!”
A frantic voice filtered in through the rage, as if coming through a long tunnel, and then there were fingers on my arm. A cloud of vanilla and flowers filled my lungs. The combination made me hesitate. It was all Davis needed. He lifted his legs and kneed me right between the legs. Fiery pain exploded through my entire body.
My knees hit the carpet, and before I could say what the fuck? a fist connected with my jaw, sending me sprawling back onto the floor.
I heard a scream. Swearing. Through the darkness swimming in my vision, I saw Avery trying to pull Davis away from me. He swung around and she stumbled, then he drew back and punched her on the side of her face.
I heard her cry out.
She went down.
I jumped up.
No way. No fucking way was he going to hurt Avery.
Ignoring the pain radiating out from the middle of my body, I grabbed him from behind and lifted him off the ground, then used all my weight to swing him as hard as I could into the wall. He hit with a thud, but I didn’t wait for him to get up. I was on him in a second, straddling his body, ramming my fist into any part of his body I could get to.
Everything around me tunneled until all I could see or hear was Davis. The sound of my fists hitting his face. Blood flying from cuts on his cheek. Satisfaction in every single hit.
It felt like I’d just gotten started when arms grabbed me and hauled me off Davis. I swung my shoulders and jammed my elbows back at whoever pulled me off him. I kicked out, connecting with his ribs. He needed to die. That was the only way to keep him away from the people I loved.
My gaze was still locked on Davis, curled into a ball and panting in the corner, when I heard new voices.
“You have the right to remain silent . . .” a voice thundered next to me.
Pain lanced in my shoulder as my arms were yanked behind my back and I felt the cold touch of metal around my wrists. Slowly the tunnel vision eased and sound started to return. I looked around me, at the cops in the living room, at Avery standing off to the side, in the arms of that fucker in a suit from the hospital.
I started to struggle again, and she turned.
My blood ran cold.
The side of her face had already started to swell and bruise. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth. My stomach roiled and I thought I was going to be sick. I felt a flash of anger. No one had asked her to come here, to put herself in harm’s way.
But she did, you asshole, an inner voice said. For you. And it was true. This was my fault. Avery had gotten hurt because of me. I couldn’t protect anyone.
“Do you understand these rights as I’ve read them?” the cop asked. “Do you need me to repeat them?”
I shook my head numbly. I’d heard them before. I didn’t need another run-through.
As they led me outside, an EMT moved past us into the house.
Davis would heal.
Sara would go back.
I’d be back behind bars.
I failed.
I hadn’t fixed anything at all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Avery
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Grant asked for the tenth time.
“I’m fine.” I held the cold compress against my cheek and tried to hide the wince of pain from moving my mouth. I’d never been hit before. Guys made it look so easy.
We’d been at the police station for hours, waiting to hear what was happening with Seth. I gave my statement to the officer at the scene. Told him everything I knew about Davis, about what happened to Sara, and about how Seth was only trying to protect his sister.
But I knew how hopeless it was.
Seth violated a restraining order while on parole, and he attacked Davis. Again.
“The system is so messed up,” I said. “How can they ignore everything that was going on like that?” I turned to Grant and lowered the compress. “That animal was pimping out his stepdaughter and was giving her drugs, and no one did a damned thing.”
Tears burned my eyes. I hurt physically, but I hurt even more emotionally for Seth and his sister. Neither should have ever been in this situation to start with.
“I feel so helpless,” I admitted.
“Do something about it,” Grant said.
“Like what? I gave them my statement . . .”
“No. You’re the one who’s going to be a lawyer. Your father chose corporate law for you, but this is where you can decide for yourself. If this all really matters to you, then use it to motivate you to do something.”
I stared at Grant. He’d never talked career with me before. I didn’t think he even cared.
“What?” he said. “You know it wasn’t ever your choice, Avery. Your parents have been making all your decisions for as long as I’ve known you. You’re different now, stronger. If you want to change how things are done, you’ve got the chance to do it.”
I felt like he pushed me out onto a tightrope and said, Now walk across it without a net.
And at the same time, a spark of excitement started to burn in my gut.
I’d never felt passionate about the thought of corporate law. It was safe and it would pay well, and it was what my parents wanted. But the idea that I could do something that would make a difference in real people’s lives? For people like Seth and Sara?
It was like everything slid into place perfectly.
I smiled despite the pain in my face.
“I can,” I said in barely a whisper, like I was waiting to see if one of my parents would suddenly appear and tell me no.
Grant took my hand. “Damn right you can.”
His hand was warm and familiar, but there was nothing else there. No spark. No excitement. Not like when Seth touched me.
“Thank you. For being there tonight.”
He grinned. “We got this friendship thing.”
It took me a minute, but then I nodded. “Yeah, I think we do.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Seth
I stared at Avery’s father across the table.
I figured I’d be put in a holding cell until one of the overworked public defenders could be assigned to my case. You could have knocked me over with a feather when the man in a dinner jacket came in and introduced himself as Samuel Hartley. I knew who he was before he introduced himself. His face was on billboards all over the city.
The leading mayoral candidate was Avery’s father. That was just the icing on the cake.
“Are you here to help or to make sure I get put away for a long time?” I finally asked.
We’d been sitting across from each other, neither of us moving. If he expected some kind of confession, he’d be waiting a long time. I didn’t need to incriminate myself for them to bring charges.
“Do you have counsel already?” he asked.
“No. Just waiting for some poor shit to get assigned to me, I guess.”
Mr. Hartley’s eyes narrowed. “I can help you, Mr. Hunter, but if you don’t care, then I’m just wasting my time.” He started to get up, and I held out my hand.
He was there to help me?
The current mayoral candidate was in this room to help me?
I’d officially fallen down a fucking rabbit hole.
“Wait.” When he finally sat back down, I looked him in the eyes. “You really think you can help me?” He nodded and shuffled through the papers in his briefcase. “Look,” I said, leaning forward a little, “I’ll be honest. I don’t really care what happens to me at this point. I screwed up and I know that. I just need to be sure that Davis never sets foot near my sister again. Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
No hesitation. No uncertainty like the last lawyer I’d talked to. His blunt reply took me off guard.
“I can’t afford you.”
“I’m not asking for any money.”
Okay, now this made even less sense.
“Mr. Hunter, I’ve already looked over your case file. Honestly, I requested it last week when I learned you and my daughter were . . . getting close. I made a few inquiries.”
He pulled my fucking file because I was with Avery? “Hoping to find a loophole to send me back?” I said with a glare. “To get me away from Avery?”
Mr. Hartley snorted. “You seemed to have done that all by yourself.”
Shit. My shoulders sagged, and I fell back against the hard chair. He was right. I had made my choice. I brushed Avery aside at the hospital when she begged me not to go find Davis. And even after that, she followed me to my house, tried to stop me from screwing everything up worse.
And got hurt because of me.
“Is Avery okay?” I asked.
“I was wondering when you’d ask.” Avery’s father set his pen down and leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. His stare pinned me to the chair. “The EMT took a look and said there was no damage. Some bruising that will heal, but nothing that required medical attention. She insisted on coming down here and waiting. Grant is with her. They’re in the lobby.”