Page 51 of Bone Dust

“And that’s why I never said anything to him. I needed time to think. Drake’s father has ties with some very shady people. I didn’t want to take the chance that someone would hurt my dad.”

“Your father could take care of himself. Are you telling me he knew nothing? I can hardly believe that.”

“He did, I guess, but he gave me my space. I guess he figured I’d tell him and Mom when I was ready. I let them believe that it was just a bad breakup.” Her gaze drops to the floor. “I was embarrassed.”

Sam’s expression withers. “Honey, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. He raped you.”

“Sam!” Savi’s eyes snap to him, then to me, and then she drops her face into her hands.

“Now, you look at me, Savannah.” Sam pulls her hands away and closes into her personal space. She raises her eyes which are shimmering with tears.

“You told me what happened, so I’m surprised you didn’t tell them—but I understand your reasons. Drake isn’t nothing but a piece of shit. Any man who’d hurt a woman isn’t a man, in my book. If he comes near you again, I’ll be waiting for him.”

“Me, too,” I add.

She forces a smile and looks at her watch. “I’ve got to go. Gigi’s waiting for me.”

“I’ll drive you.” I pull the truck keys from my pocket.

“You don’t have to do that,” she says, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. “I’m fine.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll drive you home tonight, then bring you back tomorrow. You can get your car then.”

Exhaustion is transparent in her expression, yet there’s still resistance in her eyes.

“Go with him, Savannah.” Sam looks at me. “And, if you see Drake? Kick his ass.”

As Savannah retrieves her purse, Sam wraps his arms around her. “I’d never let anyone hurt you, honey.” His tone is soothing. Comforting.

Savi meets his eyes, forcing a sad smile. “I know.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Savannah

“S

avi, that guy’s a piece of shit.” I look over at her. “It takes one to know one.”

My gaze snaps to him. At first, I want to rebut his comment and then I remember the Ian he used to be, and a mix of doubt and curiosity beg a question. “Are you saying you’ve raped someone?”

“No!” Ian’s head spins toward me. He takes a quick look, then turns his eyes back to the road. “I’ve never raped anyone. I didn’t have to.” He shakes his head. “There are some things in my past that I’m sure aren’t a secret. Sex was something I never had to take or buy.”

His transparency, and the information he offers, confirm one more time how much he’s changed but, like most women, I want to know more and press for more.

“Weird question—and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but— didn’t you worry about diseases?”

He gives a casual shrug. “You know, it’s a wonder that I didn’t wind up with something because I didn’t worry about anything back then. I was cavalier about most things, but I always used a condom when I had sex, no matter how fucked up I was. I didn’t want any ‘rug rats’ or ‘curtain climbers’, as my father would say. One Ian Stanton is already too many.” He pauses. “What about you? What happened with Drake?”

A hissing sound escapes like a pin to my secret balloon. “Too much and then, not enough. Drake was charming and I was naïve. The longer we were together the more I saw through the act. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in his family. His dad is in politics and kids of politicians have much privilege. A little too much. Lots of things they get into trouble for are swept under the rug. Once I saw that most of his charm was an act, I broke up with him. He didn’t take it well.”

“And, from your conversation with Sam, you never told your parents?”

I give my head a shake. “No. I’m glad I didn’t.” I pause for a moment of reflection as an image fills my mind. “I can’t describe what it was like. To walk into your house and find your parents dead—not just dead. Murdered.” My voice fades like smoke drifting away on a breeze.

“Savi, you don’t have to talk about it.”

“The past couple of years have tested me in ways I never expected. Surviving rape. My parents. Being a single mom.”

---