Page 22 of Under an Endless Moon

He gave a harsh shake of his head to cut off the train of thought. We’d had a couple instances when one of the victims had gone back to their abuser. We put in a lot of work to make sure that didn’t happen, but we couldn’t control everything, and we sure as shit didn’t try to lord supreme over the decisions they made once they moved on from here.

We set them up and let them go, making sure they had the resources they needed to keep them secure for the rest of their lives.

Reaching out, I squeezed his shoulder and dipped down to make sure I got into his line of sight. “Angie is strong, and she wants to give those boys the best life she can. She’s not going to go back on that.”

His nod was reticent, and I slanted him a grin, trying to inject some lightness into the mood. “Your job is done here, brother. Why don’t you go and find yourself a little fun? Grab a beer or two and find someone sweet to put a smile on your face. No need for you to be moping around. Tonight should be a fucking celebration.”

He grunted though he smirked. “You act like you need to twist my arm.”

I clapped him on the back. “That’s what I thought.”

He gave a low chuckle before he sobered. “Be safe out there. Text me and let me know when it’s done.”

“I will.”

I strode to the cab and climbed inside. It was a newer truck we had painted to look exactly like one of the soda distributors’ trucks. The cover was perfect for traveling at night. I even had a part-time job with the company to make this shit halfway legit, delivering to someof the businesses around town, though this truck was always hidden until I had a job.

I buckled, then I picked up my phone to make sure I had the correct address inputted.

My guts tangled when I saw the texts waiting for me. My insides an instant riot when her face slammed into my mind. The way she’d had me so spun up last night I hadn’t been able to sleep, thoughts consumed with that fucked-up image she had put in my head.

But any teasing and tempting she’d been doin’ last night had been eradicated. Gone with her concern and affection.

Raven

Please be careful out there. We need you here.

Raven

I need you here.

For one second, I gave myself over to wishing I was different. To wishing I could have done it all differently and it hadn’t come to this. To wishing I could be something better for Raven.

To wishing that I could have stopped it. Saved her. Saved themboth.

I’d failed.

And Raven?

I wanted so much more for her thanthis.

EIGHT

OTTO

The next morning,I stood beneath the hot spray of my shower, the water close to scalding. My head was slumped between my shoulders, and I supported myself with both hands against the wall, trying to breathe through the turmoil that ravaged.

The careening of thoughts and the disorder of senses.

The fall pounded against my head, shoulders, and back, the water gliding over my body and swirling at my feet a blood-tinged pink.

Washing away the evidence of what I’d done, but there was no chance of it erasing what had been written on me.

This revenge both sickening and sweet.

The thing I’d wanted for so long but still didn’t come close to making me feel complete. The grief no less. No reconciliation for her broken body that had been left like garbage on the floor.

Because of me. Because of me.

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