Page 2 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

“I shouldn’t have called the police that night. None of this would have happened. But I was scared because Hayes wasn’t home to break up the fight this time,” she whimpered. “I thought Barry was going to hurt my mom. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“You did the right thing, Saylor. Hayes is so fucking proud of you.” I continued stroking her head as I held her against my chest.

“I guess I should be glad the police got there right after Hayes got home, because he probably would have killed Barry, and then he’d be sent away like River and Romeo.” She spoke through her tears, her voice soft, and I could hear the sadness. The fear. We knew something had gone down, but Hayes hadn’t given much detail. Saylor had somehow been struck by Barry just as Hayes arrived home and flew into a murderous rage. Thankfully, the police got there shortly after. They were both removed from the house and would have been placed into the system, but as soon as he called me and Nash, we got our families involved. They’d spent two days in a foster home before Saylor had come here and Hayes had gone to stay with Nash.

“Is that what your nightmare was about?” I asked, as she pulled back and let out a few long breaths.

“I see Barry in my nightmares. The crazed look in his eyes. The way he turned to me when I tried to pull him off my mom. I was so scared,” she said. “I can’t sleep without seeing his face, King. I haven’t slept in days, and I’m so tired.”

“I know you are. What if I stay with you tonight? I can sleep in here so you know you’re safe.”

“This is so embarrassing. I’ll be fourteen years old next week. I shouldn’t be afraid of the dark.” She shook her head, shoulders pushing back as if she were trying to prove she was okay.

To me.

To herself.

I wasn’t sure. But it didn’t matter.

Because Saylor Woodson didn’t need to be okay on my behalf.

I’d walk through fire to make sure she was safe.

I glanced over at the pile of green stems on the nightstand, and she followed my gaze to see what caught my eye.

“Those are dandelion puffballs that you can make wishes on. I figure if you make enough wishes, someday it’ll work, right?”

“Of course, it will. Come on. Lie down. I’ve got you. No one will ever know about this. It’ll be our secret, okay?” I slipped in beside her, and we both rolled onto our sides, facing one another.

“Thanks, King. I’ll be fine tomorrow. I know I will. I’m just worried right now. About everyone and everything.”

“Yeah. Me, too,” I said. “You’re actually helping me because I couldn’t sleep either.”

“You’re worried, too, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I get to go visit next week. It’s been the longest two weeks of my life since they were sent away. I haven’t slept much at all. And then I was worried about you and Hayes being pulled into the system. I’m a lot happier now that you’re here and Hayes is with Nash.”

“Me, too. I wish we could get River and Romeo out of there, too.”

“Yeah. I can’t believe all the shit that has happened.”

“Hayes told me that they didn’t do it. They were set up by Slade Crawford, right?” she whispered.

“Yep. And his family has more money than they know what to do with, so who do you think they’re going to believe?” I hissed. I was still so fucking pissed off about the whole thing. The rich asshole robs the Daily Market, pushes a man down and hurts him, and then runs out of there and lets two innocent dudes serve his time in juvie hall?

It was bullshit.

“It’s not right,” she said, and I could hear the exhaustion.

“It’s not. But we need to keep it together for them. You and me going without sleep is not going to bring anyone back or get you home any sooner.”

She shifted closer to me. “I don’t know where home is anymore. I’d be scared to go back there. But I don’t like being separated from Hayes. And I need to know that my mom is okay. But all I see is Barry when I close my eyes.”

I found her hand and pulled it between us. “I’ve got you, Saylor. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I promise.”

She squeezed my hand, and I held her close.

And I kept my fingers wrapped around hers until the sound of her breathing slowed.

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