Page 53 of Hunted Innocence

It’s Grayson.

He’s standing with his shoulder against the jamb, his eyes on me and a bottle of water in his hand. “I know you’re awake,” he murmurs. “I can tell with the change in your breathing.”

I don’t know what to say. And I’m not even sure I can say anything at all. I’m not sure what time it is or, honestly, what day it is. I don’t push myself to sit up. I stay where I am and roll onto my side so I can see him.

“You need help going to the bathroom or anything?” Grayson asks.

His voice is gruff, serious, and lacks the tenderness that he usually has when he talks to me. He watches me, but I can’t tell his mood. He’s different, and I know it’s because of what he’s seen.

I don’t think I could ever forget the fact that Landon called him and then forced me to do everything he did, plus whatever happened after he choked me until I was unconscious. Judging by the soreness I feel all over my body, it was ugly.

“I’m okay,” I say.

“Your brother wanted you with him,” he announces.

Swallowing the thick lump in my throat, I stare at Grayson and wonder if this is something we could ever get past. We haven’t been together for long, only officially for days, and what happened is huge. I’m not sure he will ever be okay with it. I wonder if this is the end before we even truly had our beginning.

“Grayson,” I whisper, trying not to cry.

I can hear my voice waver, and I know that the tears are on their way. I’m on the verge of sobbing right now, which I absolutely hate. Still, I’ve been through a lot, and I’m feeling everything—every emotion I can possibly imagine feeling is building inside of me at a rapid pace.

“I’m pissed off,” he announces.

I open my mouth to protest, to beg him not to be mad at me. I would have done anything not to have Landon violate me.I would have gone to the ends of the earth not to have that monster look me in the eyes again, let alone touch me. I don’t get the opportunity because he continues, and what he says isn’t what I thought he was going to say.

“I’m angry at myself, and I’m not worthy of standing here in front of you. I’m not worthy of protecting you since I’ve already proven that I failed. I should have let Brody take you with him. I put up a fight because I’m a selfish fucking bastard, but I do not deserve to have you in my bed, and I sure as shit don’t deserve to lie beside you in it, either.”

That speech is freaking amazing.

Out of this world.

And it’s beautiful, too.

Sitting up, I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t cringe at the pain that slices throughout my entire body. Holding out my hand, I make a motion for him to come over to me, but he doesn’t.

He stays where he is, a scowl on his face. “There is absolutely nothing that you could have done to stop what happened from happening. You can’t blame yourself, and I don’t blame you one bit. In fact, I will go as far as to say I’m glad it happened.”

His scowl deepens. “Why?” he asks.

“It’s done and over with now, right?”

“It’s done.”

“That’s all I need to know. It’s done, and I don’t have to look over my shoulder another minute of another day. I can breathe.”

He dips his chin once, his eyes never leaving mine. “You can.”

“It’s done, Grayson. Come to bed.”

He shakes his head once. “I’m going to sleep on the couch.”

His words cause my heart to break. I can almost hear it crackling in my ears. I need him with me. I don’t want him to think that he’s not worthy of me because he wasn’t there, wasn’tsomewhere he had no idea he had to be. Not when Iknowthat I’m the unworthy one in this room.

Chapter Twenty-Three

GRAYSON

The wayshe’s looking at me is something that I don’t deserve, not in the slightest. She should be curling her lip in disgust at the man I am, not be wide-eyed and pouty-lipped.

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