Page 45 of Shadows of You

Her hand trembled again, and I wanted to kick myself. “A neighbor heard me scream. He stopped the bleeding. The whole time, John cried it was some horrible mistake. That he thought I was someone who’d broken into his home. Who’d killed his wife.”

“But it wasn’t a mistake.”

Aspen shook her head, a tear slipping free. “Autumn was leaving him. He’d become controlling. Emotionally abusive. She wasn’t allowed to go anywhere he didn’t approve beforehand.”

My fingers dug into the couch cushions as I tried to keep myself rooted in place.

“I was there to pick her up. She was coming to live with me. Taking her daughter.”

More of the pieces fell into place. “Cady.”

“Her name was Lucy back then. I got custody after John went to prison.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said quietly.

More tears fell. “Me, too. So damn sorry I didn’t get her out sooner. That I wasn’t fifteen minutes earlier.”

I moved on instinct. Couldn’t stop myself. My hand covered Aspen’s, my large palm dwarfing hers. “This could never be your fault.”

“I know.” Her words were a harsh whisper. “That doesn’t mean I don’t hate myself every single day.”

The urge to pull her into my arms was so strong I had to beat it back with everything I had. “I don’t think your sister would want that.”

A tremulous smile spread across Aspen’s face. “She wouldn’t. She was such a good sister.”

An ache took root in my chest, digging in deep. “I’m sorry you lost her. I’m glad that fucker’s in prison.”

Something passed over Aspen’s face. Something that had unease sliding through me.

“What?”

She shook her head. “Not everyone believes he belongs there.”

I remembered that about the news coverage. Charming doctor. Good-looking. Rich. Involved in charity work. No one wanted to believe he would kill his wife in cold blood. Even with Aspen’s testimony, people thought she’d gotten it wrong. That trauma had confused her, or even that she was outright lying.

“That’s why you changed your name?”

Aspen worried the spot on the inside of her cheek. “People found out where I lived, where I worked. I got jumped by two guys outside my office building downtown because an asshole reporter printed where I worked. Ended up with broken ribs and a concussion.”

Fury lit my veins so fast and fierce that it was all I could do to keep breathing.

“I hit my breaking point when someone tried to take Cady from daycare, saying I didn’t deserve her. After that, I knew it was only a matter of time before one of us got seriously hurt.”

My fingers spasmed around Aspen’s as blood roared in my ears.

“A cop helped me. Walked us through the channels to get new, sealed identities. We were supposed to be safe.”

My spine jerked straight. “You are safe. And we’re going to make sure you stay that way.”

Aspen shook her head, her red locks catching the light. “I don’t have a choice now. They’ll tell everyone where I am. It doesn’t matter how much I want to stay. I have to disappear again.”

14

ASPEN

I was already mentally makingmy list. Roan could take me to get my car. I’d just have to make do with whatever Jim had done on it so far. Then I’d need to pack up here. Find someone to care for the animals. I could get Maddie for that.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

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