Kiera inhaled a deep breath and patiently waited for my words to run dry. I felt like I’d run a marathon once they had. Every part of me was exhausted. Every part of me ached. Absorbing the love in her tranquil eyes, I tried to calm my breathing, tried to squelch my fears. I only partly succeeded. “I’m scared,” I finally whispered, and I felt a tiny amount of relief in the confession.

Kiera nodded, her eyes moist with sympathy. “I know…but I’m here, and I’ll help you. Besides, what’s the worst thing that could happen?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I could care.” I wasn’t sure if I’d said that out loud or not. If I had, Kiera’s expression didn’t change. I closed my eyes, gathering strength, then I nodded.

If I was going to get through this, I couldn’t let fear and panic be my driving force. That would have me running out the door, not finally confronting him. There was only one thing that would help me confront him, and maybe Kiera was right…maybe it was time that I did exactly that: confront the son of a bitch.

Hardening my core, I let a lifetime of abuse stoke my anger, my armor. Twisting to face him, I gripped Kiera tight. Her fingers in mine gave me strength, and I sucked it up like I was dying from the lack of it. I started walking toward Gavin, letting my rage flare. Every step, I let myself get more and more angry until I was so furious I could barely see.

I was almost in his face when I finally stopped. He didn’t react to my nearness, except to smile softly at me. “Hello, son,” he whispered.

Son? I almost decked him for saying that. I think I would have if Kiera hadn’t been holding my hand. I squeezed her fingers, hard. I gave Gavin a curt nod, since I couldn’t speak yet, my throat was cinched tight. Then I waited for him to start the conversation. What was so important that you had to hound me every day for six fucking months? I glared as I waited, but he didn’t say anything, he just kept fucking staring at me. Now you have nothing to say? Really? Fucking asshole.

That was when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked down to see Hailey giving me a cautious half-smile, and the raging anger inside me started diminishing. I’d been so focused on Gavin, I hadn’t even noticed Hailey and Riley yet. Suddenly realizing how hard I was holding Kiera’s hand, I made myself relax and back up a step.