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But Skylar keeps staring at me, searching my eyes for something that I hope is there.
I will her to understand what I’m trying to tell her.
“You can do this,” I assure her. “After what you’ve been through, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
It’s something I know in my gut. I’ve seen the fiery spirit from the moment I met her. Sweet and caring on the outside, with a warrior’s strength on the inside.
Something I didn’t appreciate during our first interaction.
But I won’t push after this. It’s her voice and her experience, and I won’t damage our relationship anymore.
I’ve said my piece.
There’s a long moment of silence as I glance at Landon, who is still watching Skylar with a furrowed brow.
The need to protect is evident in his body language. I can tell he’s aching to pull her into his arms.
And I’m the one insisting on forcing open her wounds.
When she opens her mouth, I’m ready for her to reject me.
But what she says next stuns me.
“I’d like to speak with you alone, Vincent.”
21
SKYLAR
I was ready to tell Landon I couldn’t do it before Vincent showed up.
Even though I knew I needed to give my statement, I just wasn’t ready to.
I couldn’t.
But Vincent doesn’t see me the way I see myself.
He looks at me as if I’m strong, not just a victim.
River and Landon are hell-bent on taking care of me, which I adore.
But having Vincent level with me about why I should give the statement and what it could do for April makes something switch in me.
Guilt pierces my gut when I ask Landon to give us some privacy, but he simply smiles and kisses my forehead, telling me he won’t be far.
“Text me if you need me,” he says. “I can go down to the station for a while.”
I give him a small smile and wait until the front door shuts before turning my attention back to Vincent.
His expression is neutral, but I catch the bob in his throat as he swallows.
He’s…unsettled. Even as his rich, warm scent wraps around me like a heavy blanket, I can sense the apprehension in him.
“Why are you so nervous?” I ask him softly. “You weren’t like that when Landon was here.”
His bright blue eyes blink in surprise.
“Nervous?” he says slowly, his voice low and tender. “Is that what you think I am?”
