We pulled up to Jack’s house in tight silence. Lucy’s face was devoid of any color, and her eyes were filled with such sadness and fear, it pained me. Jack punched in the security code and the gate opened. My parents’ car and Gretchen’s were at the top of the driveway, and I was happy they were here.

Lucy climbed out of the car, clutching her purse. She didn’t say a word or make eye contact with me or Jack. She was emotionless, her face completely blank as if she’d retreated within herself, and it scared me.

Jack shot me a sympathetic glance.

When he opened his front door, our parents and sister were sitting in the living room. Mom got up and hugged Lucy, but my girl’s arms didn’t wrap around my mom; they dangled by her side.

“Sweetheart, come and sit down. Josh is in the kitchen making us something to eat.” Her comforting voice brought Lucy out of her trance.

“Thank you.” That was all she said, but it was two words more than she’d spoken in the past forty-five minutes.

Gretchen walked up and threw her arms around my neck. Whispering in my ear, she said, “I’m so sorry this is happening.”

I hugged my sister. “Me too. She doesn’t deserve this.”

Glancing at my father, I said, “Hey, Dad.”

He got up and shook my hand. “How is she doing, son?”

“Not too well.”

We all sat down and Josh walked in. Lucy looked up at him as he placed a cup of tea on the coffee table in front of her, and gave him a wan smile and a tiny nod of thanks. The rest of the family gathered and sat around us.

“Is Dane here?” Lucy asked as she glanced around the room.

My mom answered, “He’s on his way to Long Island, but he wanted us to tell you, well, I can’t repeat what he said, but he’s thinking of you.”

When Lucy’s brows drew together in confusion, Gretchen spoke up. “Dane said to fuck ’em and not to let them get to you because they were all limp-dicked assholes.”

“Gretchen Margaret!” My mom scolded my sister, but that comment made Lucy laugh.

“Sorry, but I was just being honest.” Gretchen shrugged.

Lucy stood, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “I owe you all an explanation.”

“Sweetie, you don’t owe us anything.” My dad’s voice made her lips twitch into the semblance of a smile.

“Thank you, but I do. I need to tell you all my story.” She wiped a tear away and cleared her throat. “My real name is Abigail Winston. I changed my name when I left Colorado when I was nineteen. I did it because I didn’t want to be associated with my parents.”

Lucy looked at my mom and dad. “They weren’t like you; they were extremely judgmental and superficial.” Then she focused on my siblings before her gaze slid to me. “You all have no idea how lucky you are.”

Gretchen sniffed as a tear slid down her face, and she didn’t bother to wipe it away.

Lucy held her hand out to me, and when I took it, she mouthed, I’m sorry. I gave her a small nod, encouraging her to continue.

“When I was in high school, I fell for a boy, but he wasn’t what my parents had in mind for me. My mom would tell me he wasn’t up to par.” She let out a shaky breath. “His name was Greg, and I thought the sun rose and set because of him. The night before my sixteenth birthday, we had sex. He had already graduated and enlisted in the Army, so I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again, but I wanted him to be my first. We used protection, but I got pregnant. Naturally, my mom flipped out when she found out. When she realized I wasn’t yet sixteen and Greg had just turned nineteen when we had sex, she threatened to have him arrested unless I aborted the baby.”

“Oh, Lucy.” My mom jumped up to hug her. This time Lucy reciprocated her embrace, and brought her arms around my mom. When Lucy began to sob, my heart broke for her.

I stood and continued her story. I told them all about Greg and the fact that she thought he had died, but he was actually alive and well and that they saw each other. She finally had closure.

Lucy stepped out of my mom’s arms and sat down, so Mom and I followed suit and took our seats. “My parents don’t know where I am, or at least they didn’t. But I’m sure they do now. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for having embarrassed your family.”

“Don’t be silly, Lucy,” Dad said with conviction. “You’re the victim here, not us.”

Lucy nodded, but I knew she didn’t agree with him. “Maybe so, but I still feel horrible.”

Jack leaned forward. “How did the press find out?”

“That would be my fault.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Gretch and I were at an event, and I told her a little bit of Lucy’s story. Emily overheard.”

“Your ex-slut, Emily?” Josh shrugged. “Sorry, man, but she was the worst thing to happen to you.”

“She still is, and yes, I believe she’s to blame.” I went on to explain the rest of the story. As I did, Lucy dropped her head into her hands and rubbed her temples.

“Lucy.” My dad got up and walked toward her. “Why don’t you go lie down? You’re very pale.”

He picked up her wrist and held it with two fingers while he looked at his watch.

“Your blood pressure is high, my dear. You need to try and relax. We won’t leave. And if you need a sleep aid, I can prescribe something for you, but rest is what you need right now.”

Lucy nodded obediently, and I took her hand and led her to one of Jack’s spare bedrooms. I pulled back the plaid bedspread, and she toed off her shoes before she slid in under it. Once she was tucked in, I kissed her on the cheek.

“Everything will be okay,” I told her as I stroked her hair. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“I don’t know how you’re going to do that,” she said, and her eyelids looked heavy.

“Go to sleep and don’t worry about how; just know I will.”

I was pretty sure she was asleep in the seconds it took me to exit the room.

When I walked back in the living room, my entire family looked at me as one. “I know,” I said, frowning. “It’s a horrible situation.”

We all went into Prescott mode. Jack said he’d contact his PR department and make sure they quashed any stories that were scheduled to be published. His company was one of the best public relations firms in the state. If anyone could shut down the media, it was them.

Mom told Jack she and her firm would take care of any legal issues.

Gretchen, being true to form, said she’d be Lucy’s shoulder and would kick anyone’s ass who came near her, and Josh echoed her sentiments.

And Dane, well, we knew how he felt.

As for me, I’d already made my decision as to what I was going to do. Now I just needed to tell my family. But first, I had to make a few calls.

I excused myself and went into Jack’s home office to call Ben.

“Okay,” I said without preamble when he answered. “Tell me how bad it really is.”

“Grissett is all over it like white on rice. He’s foaming at the mouth, and from what I understand, television ads are being produced as we speak.”

Fuck. “Ads stating what?”

“They’re questioning your character and choices. The asshole is going to trash you and your reputation.” He paused, but I stayed silent. “I don’t need to tell you the ramifications this could have in the long run. Being the incumbent, you don’t have an opponent in the primary, but he’s looking at November and is ready to discredit you any chance he gets. He’s like a dog in heat right now. I don’t need to remind you, the primary is just around the corner.”

“No, you don’t. Ben, I’m thinking of renouncing my candidacy. The party needs twelve days’ notice, and they need to get someone to run against this asshole. I know Smythe is ready to go. Maybe you can get a job with him.”

Ben cursed under his breath. “I had a feeling you were going to say that, and I told you not to worry about me. You do what you think is best, but I say let’s beat this guy fair and square. Your reputation is strong, Drake, but I understand why you’re considering it. Whatever you decide, I’ll be by your side.”