When I pull in the driveway, I spot Liv curled up on the porch swing, swaying gently with a mug in her hand. I grab the bag from the passenger seat before opening the door of my pickup.

Liv sits up a little straighter as I approach. “Grayson, hi.” She greets me with a small smile.

Her soft voice washes over me, easing all of the turmoil storming inside of me from this past week. A thin sweater hangs off her slender shoulder revealing the strap of her nightgown. The glow of the porch light shines down on her, making her look like the angel she is. Even with the faded bruises marking her face she’s still beautiful.

“Hey, Liv. I hope it’s not too late. Wanted to stop by on my way home from work to see how you’re doing.”

“It’s not too late.”

“Where’s Walt?”

“He just went to bed. He has to be up early in the morning. That’s why I came out here to have my tea, I didn’t want to disturb him.”

I nod. I’m glad to know it’s just her and me. “You settling back in okay?”

She shrugs. “For the most part. I’ve been resting a lot, and when I’m not Tania has been keeping me company.”

“Terrell said he came out to see you.”

She smiles. “Yeah, I’ve had a few visitors.”

Guilt instantly plagues me. I should have come out here sooner like I wanted to. “I would’ve come earlier, but I wanted to give you time to get settled.”

“It’s all right. I’m glad you’re here now.” Her words have something shifting inside of me.

“You’re looking good,” I say, leaning against the porch railing.

Her eyes fall to her lap and she shakes her head. “Not really, but thank you for saying so. The doctor said it’ll be a while before the bruising is completely gone, but they’re fading more and more every day so that’s good.”

“You’re wrong.” Her big brown eyes snap back to mine. “I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could make you not beautiful.”

She gives me a shy smile, the same one that always hits me like a punch to the gut.

Jesus, what is it about this girl?

Glancing down, she points at the bag in my hand. “Is that for me?”

“Actually, it’s for Walt.”

Her brows raise and she bites her lip to stop from laughing, not buying my bullshit. “You bought Pap a present in a pink gift bag with butterflies on it?”

“Yeah, think he’ll like it?”

Shaking her head, she gives me one of her sweet giggles I was hoping for.

“Okay, I’m lying. It’s for you.” I smirk, handing her the bag.

She takes it with a smile, but it dies on her lips once she opens it. “You bought me books?” she asks softly, her face void of any emotion.

I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably. “Yeah, Margie at the bookstore assured me you’d like these. I thought it would give you something to do while you’re healing.”

I remember her telling me how much she loved to get lost in a book, to live another life for a little while. I thought it would be a good distraction, but as she stares down at the books in silence, I begin to wonder if maybe I was wrong.

“I can’t believe you did something like this for me.”

I shrug. “It’s not a big deal, Liv, it’s just books.”

Her big doe eyes find mine. “It’s a very big deal. No one has ever given me something so thoughtful, besides Pap.”

Her admission surprises me.

She deserves things like this every day.

Putting the books back in the bag, she stands up and slowly makes her way toward me, being mindful of her injuries. Before I can anticipate what she’s about to do, she wraps her arms around my waist, laying her head against my chest. “Thank you, Grayson. This is exactly what I need. I can’t wait to start them.”

I envelop her small frame in my arms, loving how perfect she feels against me. “You’re welcome.”

My throat burns like a motherfucker when I feel her silent tears soak my shirt. I’m not sure if she’s clinging to me or the other way around, but for the rest of my time with her we simply hold each other—not moving, not speaking, just seeking comfort in one another.

And I think it’s exactly what we both need.

CHAPTER 10

Olivia

Putting down my makeup brush, I brace my hands on the counter in front of me and lean closer to the mirror, studying my reflection. A disappointed sigh escapes me when I realize I’m not going to be able to conceal any of it.

Today is the first day I did something with my hair after showering, even though it’s just a simple braid over my shoulder. Then I figured I would take it one step further and try to cover the faded bruises, hoping to look in the mirror and see the old me, but it’s hopeless. I know the doctor said it would take time before they were completely gone, but how much longer? It’s been two weeks. I’m tired of the painful reminder every time I see my reflection.

A reminder of something I don’t remember, yet something I’ll never forget.

The makeup may not be able to take away the proof of my attack, but it did mask some of my exhaustion. Because I am. I’m so tired. I haven’t slept a full night since waking up in the hospital. Every noise I hear as I lie in the dark has terror robbing me of sleep, wondering if the men who did this to me will come back to finish what they started. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel safe again.

The memory of how it felt to be in Grayson’s arms the other night comes to mind.

I felt safe with him.

That night was the best I’ve had since coming home. I love Pap and Tania more than anything in the world but something about Grayson’s presence calms me. His thoughtful gift was everything I needed. An escape to live another life just for a short time means more to me right now than anyone could ever understand.

I’ve been hoping to be graced with his presence every night since but he hasn’t returned. Terrell said he’s been spending a lot of his free time at the station. He didn’t say it was on my case, but I have no doubt that it is. His promise to me, that he would not rest until he finds out who did it, makes that abundantly clear. I appreciate his dedication more than I can say, but I don’t want this to consume his life. It’s consumed and ruined so many already.

The sound of mumbled voices penetrate through my tortured thoughts. Pushing away from the sink, I leave the bathroom and follow the quiet conversation. At the sight of the open screen door, I realize it’s coming from the front yard. I grab my thin pink sweater off the banister, wanting to cover the marks on my arms from whoever is here and wince subtly at the sharp pain of my taped ribs. After a few small breaths I reach for the door handle, but freeze when their words reach my ears.

“We want to help, Walt. Can you tell us anything at all? Does she remember anything about who jumped out of that truck?” I recognize the voice as Eddie Willard. He’s younger than Pap, closer to what my father’s age would be, and from one of the seven original families of Harmony Falls.

“Not really, no, and I don’t want her to. I don’t want her rememberin’ anything about what those sons a bitches did.” The fury in Pap’s voice hurts my heart. He tries to hide his turmoil from me, but I’ve sensed the rage he has coiling inside of him. It’s not who he is. Pap is a stubborn old man who’s set in his ways, but he’s not angry. He’s not hateful.

The next voice that speaks I recognize as Lane Valentine, he is also one of the original seven and good friends with Eddie. “I don’t blame ya. I wouldn’t want my baby girl remembering somethin’ like that either.”

Humiliation burns inside of me. I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but I do. I hate that everyone knows what happened. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t gone into town yet, and have only seen the select few people who have stopped by.

“I appreciate you boys comin’ out to offer your help. Just… Do whatever you need to. I want justice for my granddaughter.” I hear Pap say.