Page 43 of Redemption

Mind still spinning, Victoria agreed in silence.

“If you would like a woman to talk to who won’t throw cutesy BS your way and will talk about how she got through her own hell, call Caterina.”

Victoria’s eyes widened.

“I’m not betraying her trust. She knows I was going to tell you about me, and she said to mention she was available.”

“She didn’t…” Victoria didn’t know how to ask why the other woman wouldn’t come up and volunteer her story because that was a silly question. Why would any want to volunteer or assume that someone was ready to listen?

“Maybe the better question is why did I talk to you,” Maddy said instead. “And that’s because there’s a difference between being victimized and working on the offending side, though I won’t say I wasn’t a complete victim—”

“Ivan’s daughter, she didn’t want to. She tried to stop so much. And did.”

“You did too, from what I understand.”

Victoria shrugged a shoulder, immediately uncomfortable, and turned away.

“Ah, see, that’s how I know you are holding on to a grievance. Your healing won’t be as much about a man as it’s a guilt about whatever you are blaming yourself for.”

Wasn’t that the truth?She glanced over her shoulder. “Got all that because I turned away?”

“And because you would’ve made out with Ryder in the lake if Grayson hadn’t pegged him with a football.”

Victoria’s cheek flamed. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry about that. Kids watching and everything.” She covered her face with her hands.

Maddy laughed. “Mon amie, these children are all raised that love is a good thing. Kisses are healthy. You are fine. No one noticed a thing.”

“Except Grayson.”

“Well… Delta team noticed that Ryder noticed you, and they haven’t had many chances to give him hell.” She lifted her shoulders. “They tease like brothers.”

“He doesn’t bring girls home?”

“No one brings girls home.” Maddy lifted an eyebrow. “Special circumstances aside. But I haven’t heard of him in a relationship—nothing more than enticing someone with that accent when he feels the need.”

“That accent though…” Victoria quietly laughed, and Maddy smiled.

“I’m off then. I need to find Luke and head out again.”

“Thanks for talking to me, trusting me, and… not hating me about Locke.”

“Same.” Maddy blew her a kiss and headed out the door as Ryder stuck his head in.

“Night, Madeleine,” he said, and turned back. “You up for a minute?”

Victoria repositioned on the edge of her bed. “Sure.”

He held up a blue bottle. “Need any aloe?”

“Actually, yeah.” Despite using lotion all day long, her shoulders were a little pink. It wasn’t much, and they didn’t hurt, but she didn’t want them to. Victoria hadn’t changed into her pajamas yet, so she could easily apply the aloe with her tank top and still talk to Ryder.

“Turn around. I’ll do your shoulders.”

Or let him do it even if her heart began to race. “Okay.”

The cap clicked open, and carefully, he dropped one side of her shirt. “Mia threw the bottle at me after she put the kids down and said to make sure you weren’t in pain.”

“I’m not in pain. Oh—” His hand made contact, and the cool aloe sent a frosty sensation skipping up her neck and sliding down her spine.

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