Page 58 of In the Light of Day

“Yes,” Tobias cries. “I was just helping him and he died before anything happened. I’m innocent!”

Seth kicks Tobias' good leg free, taking less than a second to aim his shotgun at his foot and firing. The tiny pellets shredding his foot, rendering it useless.

“How about I give you one kiss of my shotgun for every year youinnocentlyhelped? I think that's fair, don't you, baby girl?”

He looks to Nova, his gaze softening slightly.

“And then one shot for every time I was raped.”

The forest stills, not even an insect can be heard over the ringing in my ears. I always knew deep down what had happened to her, every cell in my being knew but hearing her say the words out loud. It makes me want to scream, to kill everyone here and take her away so no one can ever hurt her again. My skin is irritated, the built up energy needing an outlet but looking over at Seth, I think he needs it more. His nostrils flare with each heavy breath, knuckles turning white as he grips the shotgun. Closing my eyes I lean into her, nuzzle her neck and breathe her in. Threading my fingers through her hair, I whisper, “You want me to do it, my love? It would be an honour to burn your nightmares.”

Her body tenses in my arms, “Don't let me go,” she breathes, shaking her head and giving me the answer I needed. Looking up at Seth, I give him a nod, understanding exactly what’s being asked of him.

“I think that’s fair, baby girl. I think that’s fair. Boys, round 'em up. We got aninnocentman to serve some justice on.”

He spits the words, waving his hand in the air in a whirling motion. Two of the deputies nod their heads to me and Nova, grabbing Tobias's shoulders and begin dragging him into the undergrowth. Seth following close behind. He's not the sheriff right now, but her Pa. The complete embodiment of every man who has watched their daughter be hurt and not been able to do anything.

He's a father serving justice.

Vehicles are moved to the side of the road and Thad's body is cleared. We’ve agreed to say the blood was from a wild boar that was hit, the sheriff was worried about the public's safety as it was still alive. A simple story to explain away what happened here. Shotgun blasts thunder through the air over and over, hoarse screams following until there is nothing but bird song among the sunlight, twinkling through the forest.

“It's over, Nova. It's over.” I mumble into the top of her head, where I kneel, still holding her in the middle of the road. The first blast that sounded made her flinch in my arms but then for every one after, her body seemed to relax a little, sinking into my hold as the weight of everything that happened to her lifts. A feeling of peace has fallen on the forest and once the vehicles are gone and the blood has been washed away, life will continue to flourish.

Chapter 45- Ace

Chasing Cars - Tommee Profitt, Fleurie ?

Not a single car has passed us on the highway and we must have been out here for at least an hour. I turn the engine over, still scanning my surroundings. I can't quite put my finger on it but something else is at work here. Something greater than us.

Holding onto her like she’s oxygen, we drive past the deputy's vehicles parked to the side of the road and start the journey back like we did all those years ago. This has been some weird sort of full circle moment, living the horrors of the past so we can close the door on them forever.

We’re in this low basin part of the highway, two small hills keeping the outside world from view and as we reach the highest point I see a couple of trucks blocking the road further down, a line of cars waiting behind them. Slowing my pace, I drop down a gear as we cruise forward until I make out the familiar stature of my best friend standing in the middle of the highway. His arms are crossed and his wife exits the truck behind him. Their small boy breaking free, trying to run to his dad. Mila waves out and even from this distance, I can see Dante try and shoo her and Henry back to his truck. A low chuckle escapes me and I look to Nova who stares on in disbelief, grinning at the sight before us.

“They really are our family, aren't they? I can't believe they came all the way here to help,” she says in wonderment. I think Novas just realised now, that our little family has had a few extra members for a while now. That the people out there love and support her as much as she does them. That she's worthy of it.

Her brow furrows and she looks at me, “Do they know? Do they know what happened back then ... and now?”

“Honestly, darlin'. I don't think they do. They just know you needed them. Thatweneeded them, and they must have dropped everything at the first sign of trouble.”

A sob escapes her and she wipes her face on my sleeve as we come to a stop.

“Nova, I love you but I'm sure there's snot on my sleeve now. Need to keep up with the Joneses and all that” I say, exaggerating wiping my shirt, trying to get a smile out of her.

Rolling her eyes, she smiles and a part of me falls in love with her all over again.

“You’re such a dork,” she says, opening the passenger door and quickly checking in with me that it's safe. I'm under no illusions that Dante or Porter would not be out in the open if it wasn't, and I trust them with my life.

I trust them with Novas.

Dante steps to the side, Mila rushing from behind him with Henry firmly in her arms. Porter's car is haphazardly parked behind Dantes and I can see two figures inside when the passenger door is suddenly thrown open and Charlie starts running towards us.

“He’s a bloody tyrant! Wouldn't let me out of the damn car!” Charlie sasses, scowling back at Porter as he storms toward us chasing her. I can see the dagger tip wrapped in his finger and another laugh rumbles from me.

Mila and Charlie are fussing over Nova, hugging and checking her over. It's like my senses can finally relax a little knowing my friends are here.

“Do I want to ask why the women are here or can I assume you were both strong armed by them?” I question, slapping Dante on the back.

“Mila stole my keys and made it halfway down the driveway after Porter called. I had to take the dirt bike to cut her off,” Dante grumbled.

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