Page 169 of Reaper

“You can trust them and my aunt Lark who’s downstairs.”

Sway looks back to me and swallows thickly before lowering her gaze to her hands as she picks at her chipped nail polish. “My mom’s ex-boyfriend went to jail because he attacked us. He wasn’t supposed to get out for another two years. Mom has a restraining order against him because of what he did to us. I… I got home from school to find the front door barely hanging on its hinges. He was sitting on our couch, smoking a cigarette and drinking beer as he watched TV. Mom was in the kitchen, a bruise was forming on her face. I… I couldn’t stand to see the defeat on her face. I had to get out of there, but on the way out, he got a hold of me,” she says as her fingers trace a hand-like bruise that’s already forming on her wrist. “I kneed him in the balls and ran here.”

Cannon squats down next to me. “How old are you, Sway?”

“Eighteen. My birthday was at the beginning of December.”

I share a look with Cannon and he gives me a chin lift before going downstairs. Turning back toward Chris and Sway, I debate how to say this next part.

“Swayze? Sway, are you alright? Cannon said you needed ice,” Lark says as she jogs up the stairs with Smithy right behind her.

Sway blinks in confusion before turning and hugging Lark tightly.

“Miss Lark? What are you doing here?”

Lark huffs as she pulls back. “Honey, I’ve told you a million times you don’t have to call me ‘Miss Lark’.” She pauses whenher gaze locks on the purple bruise on Sway’s wrist and her furious gaze locks with mine.

“Sway started at the supper club around Thanksgiving,” she tells me as she gently places the ice on Sway’s wrist. Sway winces but then curls the bag of ice around her small wrist. Lark kneels down next to me and pins Sway with an expectant look. “Did he do this to you, Sway?”

Sway’s gaze lowers as she swallows thickly and she nods. “Mom promised he wouldn’t be back. She has a restraining order against him.”

“Is there any chance Lenny will leave while we get this sorted out?”

It takes me a bit but then I realize she’s talking about Lenora Black, who must be Sway’s mom, who used to work at Gram and Gramp’s grocery store. They had to let her go when they found out her boyfriend, Taylor Spratz, had come in on more than one occasion when Lenora was working and stole from them. Lenora hadn’t known he was stealing until everything came out.

Sway chews on her bottom lip. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I’m not leaving either of you in a situation like this. If you want, you can stay with either Reaper and me or with my ma and Granny while we get this all sorted out. Your mom is welcome to stay if she wants as well. You too, Chris. It wouldn’t be the first time that they’ve sheltered someone before, and I know it won’t be the last.”

I clear my throat. “Chris, those offers stand for you as well. You can stay with Lark and me if you don’t want to stay at the Thompsons’ house. But if did want to stay with the Thompsons’, they made the entire downstairs was made wheelchair accessible when they rebuilt in case Granny got to that stage at some point.

“There is also one other option, but I’m not sure if you’re ready for that. I have a ranch house that’s in the heart of downtown. Ihad it renovated for you, so it’s wheelchair accessible. It’s yours when you’re ready for it.”

He stares at me in shock while Sway continues to stare at Lark.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” he whispers before swallowing hard. He takes a deep breath and looks between Lark and me. “I’m not ready to be on my own, but I also don’t want to intrude on you and Lark. I… I think I’d like to stay with Emma and Lottie. At least until school is over.”

“I… I think I’d like stay with them, too. I don’t want him to…” Sway looks down as she takes a shuddery breath.

Chris wraps his arm around her again and pulls her against his chest as he whispers to her. Not for the first time I’m wondering if they’re just friends or more than friends.

“You’re both more than welcome to stay. Sway, hun, how about we head downstairs so the guys can get everything that Chris needs? We can talk about how to get you what you need as well.”

Sway looks questioningly up at Chris who nods and only then does Sway slide down off Chris’ lap. She lets Lark lead her back downstairs and Chris watches her like a hawk. Roger starts up his sexist bullshit when he spots Sway and Chris damn near launches himself down the stairs. I spot Atlas making a beeline toward Roger and the next second, you can hear the punch he lands on Roger before his body weight hits the floor.

“You need to learn to respect women, you fucking asshole,” he sneers and I hear him hit him again.

I pat Chris on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get your stuff packed up.”

I move to stand when Lark appears at the base of the stairs holding a roll of garbage bags. Chris maneuvers back and I catch the roll when she tosses it to me. Turning, I realize Smithy is prying the last piece of wood off the doorframe leading into Chris’ room.

He opens the door and freezes. When he turns to me, I know whatever’s in there is going to piss me off.

“He’s destroyed them all, hasn’t he?” Chris whispers, and the pain in his voice damn near brings me to my knees because I know what he’s talking about.

Smithy lowers his gaze to lock with Chris’ and he gives a somber nod. “I’m sorry, Chris,” he quietly tells him as he steps back.

Chris wheels into his room and stops just inside the door. I step up to stand behind him and my knees damn near buckle at the destruction Roger has caused.