“What?” I ask hesitantly, walking over.

De’Shawn looks over at one of the others who holds a phone. “Hit play. Show him.”

A cold chill races down my spine and I get the feeling I’m not going to like this.

I was right.

The sound of her screams hit me first. It takes a minute for everything to come into focus, but there, on video, is Miss Bradshaw being beaten and—nausea rolls in my belly—raped. The shaky images and her begging for them to stop, sends bile to rise in my tight throat.

“You recorded it,” I mumble, barely able to get the words out.

I look just off to the side of it, unable to stomach any more.

“Yeah, man.” De’Shawn laughs.

I have no idea if he’s laughing because he enjoyed what he did to her or the fact that he knows this is making me sick to watch.

Knowing him, probably both.

My fists clench, blood roaring in my ears.

“You think Reggie will get off?” One of them asks.

“Dude…the mothafuckin’ NAACP is backing his ass. Fuck, yeah, he’ll get off. Besides, they ain’t got shit on him but a necklace, and the stupid bitch says she recognized his voice. There were four of us there, how can she be so sure?”

The thought has fear gripping my chest because I know he’s right. Reggie will most likely get off, and when he does I know he’ll finish what he started with Miss Bradshaw.

I can’t let that happen.

If they kill me for it, then so be it. Death will be a hell of a lot better than carrying this burden of guilt.

CHAPTER 26

Olivia

“Liv, babe, you ready?” Grayson calls from the living room as I finish wrapping up the small gift on the bed.

“Just a minute.” Butterflies dance in my tummy as I finish with the last of the tape, uncertainty making its way inside my head.

What if he thinks it’s dumb? Or too girly?

Usually, I’m confident in my jewelry-making abilities, but I’ve never made something for a guy before. Especially one I love. Well except Pap when I was little, but that’s different. He loved all of my creations no matter what, even when they were heart shaped with pink and purple beads.

Of course I didn’t do that for Grayson.

His is much more…masculine. I’ve never seen him wear anything other than a watch, but it does have meaning so maybe he will wear this.

Just quit stalling and get it over with already.

I take a deep breath and walk out of the room, holding my surprise behind my back. Grayson looks up from his phone, pocketing it as I approach. His eyes roam my body from head to toe, taking in my cream, lace dress and brown cowgirl boots. My body flushes, the heat of his gaze warming me from the inside out.

“Hi,” I say, my voice cracking.

“Damn, you look good.” He stalks toward me with a predatory gait before taking me in his arms. “Real fucking good.” The words come out on a hungry growl before he claims my mouth in a passionate kiss.

I wrap my arms around his neck on a soft whimper when his delicious taste floods my senses.

“Sorry it took me so long.” I breathe.

“Don’t worry about it. It was worth the wait.”

Smiling back at him, I look into his beautiful blue eyes, eyes that undoubtedly hold the key to my soul. “Well, I’m glad you think so, but my outfit isn’t what took me so long.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I have something for you.”

One brow lifts with curiosity. “For me?”

“Yep.” I tap his shoulder. “Put me down, and I’ll give it to you.”

A scowl takes over his face, not happy at all with that idea. However, he does as I say anyway, but not without brushing his lips over mine one last time, eliciting a stampede of emotions with that heavy dose of nervousness leading the way.

Once he places me back on my feet, I hand him the small, wrapped gift.

“You got me a present?”

I nod.

Confusion bunches his brows. “Why?”

“Because I wanted to.” His expression softens with my admission. “Go ahead. Open it.”

I chew my thumbnail as he unwraps it, digging the toe of my boot into the carpet. When he gets to the small brown box, I have the urge to rip it back out of his hand and say, just kidding!

But instead, my apprehension completely takes over. “I hope you like it, but if not it’s okay…”

He ignores my chatter and opens the box, removing the thick, black leather band bound together by a silver fishing hook. Reaching over, I unhook it and open it up to show him the carving hidden inside.

TRUTH & JUSTICE

“You made this for me?” he asks quietly, his gaze fixed on the words as he affectionately brushes his thumb across them. But judging from the indifferent expression on his face, I can’t tell whether he likes it or not.

“Yeah. The fishing hook is for our time together at the cabin. And the words… Well, I know it’s not exactly what your father said to you. I couldn’t fit them all, but I figured this was just as good.” I pause, still trying to gauge his reaction. “It’s my first one. I’ve never carved leather before. After I found the right tools it turned out to be easier than I thought. And the fishing hook was easy, too.” I cut my hand through the air. “Anyway, you don’t have to wear it at all. You can just keep it with you, or at your house, or…wherever.” I clear my throat.

Lord, I sound like a blabbering fool.

“I wanted you to have something of your dad and well, me too, and maybe—”

My useless words are cut off with a gasp as he scoops me up off my feet again and turns me to pin me against the wall next to us. My legs automatically wrap around his waist, as if they were made to fit in that spot alone. He watches me for a moment, his gaze penetrating, harboring an emotion I can’t name. Then, ever so slowly, his mouth descends on mine, and he kisses me in a way that I’ve never been kissed before.

Not even by him.

His soft, wet tongue meets mine in a sensual dance of love and adoration, with a strong degree of deep appreciation.

After he’s kissed me thoroughly, he reluctantly lifts his mouth from mine, allowing me to catch my breath. “Does that mean you like it?” I ask, completely breathless, craving more of that kiss.

He chuckles but it dies quickly on his lips before his expression turns somber. “Yeah, baby. I love it. No one has ever given me anything like this before.”

Warmth invades my chest and I smile. “Really?”

His forehead gently drops to mine, eyes falling closed. “Yeah, really.”

“Good. I’m glad. I noticed you don’t wear anything other than a watch, so it’s okay if you don’t want to wear it. I just—”

He cuts me off with another kiss, this one more demanding.

Possessive.

“I want to wear it.”

Placing me back on my feet, he hands me the wristband, allowing me to put it on him. Once the hook is in place I stare down at it, feeling a surge of pride at how good it looks on him and how much he really likes it.

“It’s pretty badass, huh?” I say, releasing his wrist.

He laughs and swoops in, claiming my lips with yet another fiery kiss. “Major badass.”

I giggle but it turns into a moan when his tongue sweeps in, tangling hungrily with mine.

With a growl he pulls away—much too soon—then takes my hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here before I lift up this sexy dress of yours and fuck you senseless.”

Oh God.

The thought has heat exploding throughout my body, my cheeks flushing at his raw declaration.

Grayson looks over his shoulder, tossing me that sexy grin of his. “Later, baby. I promise.”

*

We arrive at Tucker’s a half hour later and find it packed. The local watering hole is secluded, located just on the edge of town off I-40, but it stays fairly busy. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Tania and I had some good times at this place, dancing and drinking the night away. More dancing for me, since I don’t like to drink too much.