Page 23 of Reins

“Rosalyn, if he had a part in all the shit that’s gone down…” I shrug, not even sure I can put into words how long John would go to prison.

Her body noticeably shakes. “That means I’d be left alone with Eli.”

I don’t know her situation, but the fear rolls off her in waves.

There’s a part of me that wants to ease that. “Then help me? Can you tie him to anything?”

The whites of her eyes show as she looks around wildly. “Tie him to what? Being a monster? Being scary? That’s not enough to put someone away. Then what happens when he finds out?”

My stomach rolls at her reaction. “Has he hurt you?”

Her hands tremble as she slides her glove back on. “No, he hasn’t. But it’s there, waiting.”

“I can keep you safe if you help me.” I’ll offer the moon if I can get something solid on the Bailey brothers. “Meet me back here and I’ll—”

“You’re full of shit, Cade.” Her brows drop again. “If you can’t protect your own family, how will I fare? What are you going to do, sleep on my couch? Move me to another state? Witness protection?” Her voice raises with each option until she’s nearly screaming. “You’re lying to me and I’ll be the one to suffer.” Her heels clench into her mare’s flanks, pushing her away. “You couldn’t even save Ava,” she yells as her horse breaks into a gallop, thundering out of the clearing.

She’s right.

Fuck.

Everything is crumbling and it’s all my fault.

Chapter 13 - Rosalyn

My hands still shake, days after my encounter in the woods with Cade.

Tiptoeing around my brothers is my only option. It’s what I’ve always done.

I wish I had asked Cade exactly what they did though. That gnaws at me. They’re out there hurting people and I’m sitting here, clueless.

After a week, I take a deep breath as I slide scrambled eggs onto a plate for Eli, then press on a wide smile.

“So, what ever happened with Val? Did you get a chance to see her?” I kind of selfishly hope he did. Maybe if he gets distracted with someone, he’ll decide to leave.

But his features darken. “Yea, I did.” His spoon jostles harshly against the inside of his coffee mug.

“Oh. Went that good, huh?” I try to give him a sympathetic raise to my eyebrows, except he doesn’t even look up at me.

“She made her choice.” He shovels a bite quickly, staring only at his plate.

Moving to the counter, I busy myself with my own drink. “Not you?” I try so damn hard to sound casual, yet I can feel the anger rolling off him in waves.

“No, idiot. Not me. She went after one of those McCullough fucks.” His words seep out like thick tar.

Like the truth is finally being bared.

I don’t want to get any closer. Turning my back against the sink, I sip my steaming cup to watch him.

Will this be the time I push him too far?

“Is it Cade?” I ask so quietly it’s almost a whisper.

I can’t picture the man in the woods with the Val I remember. She was loud, brash, and bigger than life when I saw her last.

Cade seems a lot more reserved. Or maybe I don’t know him very well?

When the plate crashes against the wall near my shoulder, eggs and ceramic spatter my side making me flinch.