Page 53 of Beck

“I hope he goes away for a long time.”

Becca tilted her head, her hair slipping over her shoulder to cover her arm. “What made you say something now? If you don’t mind me asking, that is?” she added quickly.

Beck looked at Kole, his eyes roaming his face and making Kole feel hot all over. “He hurt the man I love.”

Kole’s heart pounded painfully. He could barely breathe. Where had the guy who didn’t want attachment gone? Not that he wanted that, but Beck seemed to be jumping through so many relationship hoops very quickly. If Kole didn’t want it so much, he might’ve been concerned. Well, he was concerned, but that was up for discussion another time.

“Aww, you two are so cute together. But I’m sorry to hear that you got hurt, too. As I said, he’s an asshole.”

“How long did you stay with the Prices?” Beck asked, taking the spotlight off their relationship.

“Another four years.” She stared at her glass, though her eyes were unfocused. “They only sent me away when I started making too much noise about what they were hiding.”

“Did social services not do anything?” Kole asked.

Becca snorted. “They wanted nothing to do with it. If they could pretend it wasn’t happening and that I needed moving for a different reason, they would.” She met his gaze. “Less paperwork, you see.”

Kole shook his head. “I sometimes wonder how these people keep their jobs.”

“Well, if they’re still doing them now, they won’t be for long.”

“Why?”

Becca smiled. “I’m a social worker myself now. They wouldn’t look too kindly on people who hurt one of their own, even if it was before my time. I guarantee, if those workers are still doing the same role, they’ll be out on their asses before the end of the week. Even if it’s just to cover the higher up’sasses.”

“Do you know how many people he hurt?” Beck asked.

Becca bit her lip. “I have an idea, but some won’t come forward.”

“How many?”

She stared at him for a long minute, then sighed. “You were number two. I was number four. Including Kole as his most recent, I believe the number is around twenty-four.”

Beck inhaled shakily and panted, pushing his chair back as he rested his hands on his head. Kole rubbed his back, encouraging his head further down to help with his breathing.

“It’s okay, Beck. I’m here. Breathe for me. Just breathe. In. And out.” He repeated the mantra into his ear, hoping that at least some of his words got through to him.

When Beck lifted his head, tears stained his face. “I should’ve fought harder. He has darkened many lives. I should’ve stopped him.”

Kole opened his mouth to answer, but Becca beat him to it. “You couldn’t. They wouldn’t let you. It wasn’t that you weren’t loud enough, Beck. It was that you were too loud. They silenced you the only way they could. Labelling you a troublemaker. You did the right thing. Youlivedto tell the tale.”

Her words brought tears to Kole’s eyes. She was so right, and although he could see how Beck could feel about not having been able to stop Drake before, the fact that he lived his life to the degree he had was amazing.

“I’m waiting for the Prices to get their fifteen minutes of fame with this,” Becca said. “Although, hopefully, they’ll stay hidden if they know what’s best for them.”

“I need to go,” Beck said but made no move to leave. “Can we do this again?”

Becca smiled. “Absolutely. You have my number. Call me anytime.”

“Thank you for the drinks,” Kole said as they stood.

“It was nice to meet you, Kole. Take care of this lug.” She grinned, and Kole had a feeling they would be seeing more of her. In fact, he might make it a demand. She might be a good influence on Beck’s mental health.

Becca gripped Beck’s arms, and they stared at each other in silence for a moment before she pulled him into a hug. “Take care.”

Beck nodded, and they headed for the door. At the bike, Beck dropped his head back and exhaled roughly. “That happened.”

“It did.”

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