CHAPTER NINETEEN

Gavin’s eyes blaze with concern as a tear falls from my eye. I don’t want his pity. I don’t want him to look at me and see how truly broken I am.

"It’s okay. You can tell me." His hands wrap around my shoulders, rubbing circles with his thumbs.

His touch is like a balm and I don’t hesitate to lean against the press of his hands.

"He came raging into the bedroom. I knew what was coming. I tried, I promise, God, I tried to get away. I tried to calm him down, but he punched me and I fell backward. B-Bryce…he…”

I have to stop. The emotion is drowning me as I fall into Gavin’s warm chest. I’m a mess. Tears gather in my eyes and fall down my face. I can’t do this, I can’t… I’m not strong enough for this.

“My beautiful, strong girl. I’ve got you. I have you.” Gavin wraps me up into his arms, tightly holding me to his chest as he presses his mouth to my forehead.

He waits for me to calm myself, and then I raise my face to his. His blue and gray eyes are all I see, all I need to. I bite m