“You want a shower?” Lindy asks her.
She nods, tears coming to her eyes, as though she’s never wanted anything more.
Lindy swallows again, trying not to cry in front of the heartbreaking little girl.
“I’ll turn it on for you and give you privacy. I’ll even let you lock the door so you feel safe.”
She speaks from experience.
I used to lock my bathroom door too.
You feel vulnerable when naked and distracted by the shower. You feel like you’re too easily a target.
“I know the angel won’t let me be hurt. I don’t like locked doors,” Laurel says quietly.
My heart flutters, and Lindy swallows again. “I’ll start the shower.”
She moves down the hall, and I nod toward Laurel, letting her know she’s right; I won’t ever let anything happen to her.
She was locked up. Her scars are different from ours. She was held captive. She needs air like we need confined security.
Lindy’s scars don’t run as deep or painful as mine. One man ruined her.
So many more took a piece of me.
But the pain is just the same. Just as scary. Just as unrelenting.
She returns, and I see the bathroom door open. Apparently Laurel requested that.
“She has different scars,” I say quietly.
“I’ll learn to be what she needs. Thank you for trusting me with her. I’ve felt so pointless all these years, but if I can reconcile what happened to me by being what she needs…maybe it won’t all seem like it was pointless.”
I know the feeling.
“What do I say if they ask about Delaney Grove?” she asks quietly as the shower hums in the distance.
“Say nothing.”
Her brow furrows. “Why?”
A dark smile curves my lips. “Because there are so many more to kill. I’m not ready for everyone to know why.”
A cold look crosses her eyes.
“Then they won’t hear it from me. I’ll do whatever you need. Just make sure those sons of bitches never hurt anyone ever again.”
I hold up six fingers, and she cocks her head, confused.
“That many are already gone.”
Surprise flits across her eyes.
“Then you have a long list ahead of you.”
Chapter 11
Never contract friendship with a man who is not better than thyself.