Page 19 of Shattered Mind

Her eyes search behind me before coming back to mine. “Where’s mummy?”

I give her a soft smile. “Mummy’s gonna stay with Hunter tonight and help him feel better, but you can come back tomorrow. How do you feel about having a sleepover with Amelia and Roman?”

Her eyes widen with excitement, the earlier worry forgotten at the mention of her new favourite people. “Yes! Melia said I could watchEncantowith her when I come to her house.”

I match her excitement with my own. “Well then, we best not keep her waiting. Let’s go, baby girl.”

I offer her my hand, and she takes it without hesitation as the three of us head towards the exit. Grayson falls into line with us on my other side and my skin prickles with familiar awareness. The man may be quiet, but his presence is loud. Heavy. And my body reacts in ways I can’t explain.

We don’t speak on the way to Grayson’s parents’ house, the only sound in the car coming from the backseat as Reign watches slime videos on YouTube.

Usually, I would try to make conversation with the oversized grump sitting next to me, mostly because I know it annoys him and because I tend to turn to humour in moments of awkwardness. But after the events of today I don’t think I’d even have the energy to talk to the chattiest of people, let alone someone who offers no more than one-word answers.

Before long, we’re pulling onto the gravel road that leads us to The Calloway Ranch. The main house comes into view, and I let out a breath of relief.

I just want out of this truck.

Grayson parks outside his parents’ house and I climb out before opening the back door and lifting Reign down from her seat. Amelia stands at the top of the porch stepsholding a covered dish and wearing her usual comforting smile.

“Liv, you look exhausted, darling.” She says, stepping towards me, her smile replaced with concern.

“I’m okay. Just a little tired,” I placate, but in all honesty, Iamexhausted. My body aches from head to toe. There’s a steady pounding in my head that calls for some pain relief ASAP. And my eyes are burning from the tears I’ve been holding back all day.

“Here, I made lasagne. It should still be warm so make sure to eat it soon and then get some rest. Don’t worry about little Reign here, I’ve got the movie and popcorn set up and waiting for us.”

Reign beams at that and takes off running towards the house with a squeal that earns a small laugh from us both.

“Thank you. She won’t want to leave.” I say, taking the warm dish from her hands.

Amelia laughs, looking in the direction Reign just ran off in. “It’s been a long time since there’s been children in my home, I’m probably gonna have more fun than she will.”

“She’s a fun kid.”

“I’ve noticed. Now go on and get yourself home. We’ll pick you up tomorrow at around noon before heading to the hospital.” She says, shooing me towards Graysons truck.

I climb back into the passenger seat as Grayson winds down his window for his approaching mother.

“Make sure she gets home Gray. The girl needs her rest.” Amelia informs her son as though I’m not sitting here, and something about her concern warms my insides.

After a few more words between Grayson and his mum, we say our goodbyes and head across the ranch, towards Hunter’s house.

My stomach dips as the barn comes into view, the memories of today’s events hitting me full force and causing my hands to shake.

Things could’ve ended so differently had Hunter not found Sav when he did. Who knows what Ryan had planned for her and Reign.

I should’ve gotten rid of you years ago,he’d said from behind me before smashing my head against the side of the barn and knocking me unconscious. All I remember after that is waking up on the ground with a blinding pain in my head.

The look on Hunter’s face when I stumbled around the side of the barn is one that will haunt me for a long time. A shiver runs through me as I recall the sinking feeling I felt when he told me they were both gone.

“You good?” Grayson’s voice cuts through the quiet, startling me.

“Fine.” I respond, offering nothing more beforeclimbing out of the truck.

CHAPTER 9

GRAYSON

She’s notfine.

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