You will be the most gorgeous bride EVER. We stopped for lunch. Will call when we get back.
When she looked up from her phone, Bear’s eyes were trained on her, and her pulse went wild. His lips curved up in a loving smile, which was so different from his playful or seductive smiles. She adored every one of them. She moved through the people waiting to collect their food at the pickup counter. Bullet’s ever-watchful eyes drifted over the shoulder of the guy he was talking with, to Crystal, then around her, before returning to the man in front of him. Jed was busy talking to a tall blonde. Go Jed.
The guy Bullet was talking to turned, and Crystal froze as the face from her past stole the air from her lungs. No. No, no, no.
Flashes of the attack slammed into her.
That face. Those cold, hard eyes.
She was slipping.
Going under.
His hands tore at her clothes.
She fought for clarity, refusing to let him win.
I’m not afraid of you.
She was breathing too fast, too hard.
Bear.
IN THE SPACE of a second the color drained from Crystal’s face. Bear swept her shaking body against him, his heart racing. “Baby? What’s wrong?”
Jed came to her side. “Crys?”
Her mouth was moving, but no words came. Bear put his ear close to her mouth, and her whisper sent fire through his veins: “It’s him.”
He followed her gaze to the man standing in front of Bullet, rage clawing at him from the inside out. He thrust Crystal into Jed’s arms and grabbed the asshole, slamming him against the wall, lifting him off his feet with the sheer force of his rage. The people around them scattered amid cries of fear.
“What the hell?” the guy yelled.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” Bear growled through gritted teeth.
Bullet moved in, a mountainous wall of strength beside him.
“Stop! Bear, no!” Crystal broke from Jed’s grasp. “Don’t! If you hit him, you’ll get in trouble. I can’t lose you!”
“Who the fuck are you?” The guy’s eyes darted between all of them.
Her eyes turned fierce. “You don’t remember me. Christine. The girl you raped at Lakeshore.”
His face blanched. “Don’t. Please. It was a frat party. We were both drunk. It was an accident.”
Bear lifted the guy higher with the sheer force of his grip. “It was in an art building, motherfucker. How many women have you raped?” He cocked his arm back.
The guy’s hands flew up in surrender. “Dude, you know how parties are—”
“Don’t!” Crystal grabbed Bear’s arm.
“Goddamn piece of shit,” Bullet seethed, also cocking an arm.
“Bullet! Don’t,” Crystal begged. “This is my fight.”
Bear was too angry to speak. His muscles flared, his heart hurt, and his arms shook with rage.
“Please, Bear.” Tears filled her eyes—not when she saw the man who had raped her, but now, for Bear. “Please don’t. You’ll go to jail, and I can’t lose you. I love you both for wanting to kill him. But killing him isn’t punishment enough. I’m not afraid anymore.” She glared at her attacker, her eyes throwing daggers. “An accident? I’ll make sure you never ‘accidentally’ rape another woman.” She pushed buttons on her phone and lifted it to her ear.
“Hi, this is Christine Moon. I’d like to report a rape.”
Epilogue
THE SUN SHONE down on Gemma and Truman’s wedding like a blessing. Pink and white paper lanterns were strung between the trees, giving the afternoon a festive feel. Gorgeous shades of pink and blue flowers decorated the yard and the center of the table. A long table draped in a pale pink tablecloth with graffiti art depicting Gemma, Tru, and the kids along the edge sat off to the side. Truman had painted it. He was so talented. Pink lace bows decorated the chairs, and pink and white rose petals were spread on the lawn, creating an aisle that led to a floral altar they’d rented from the florist.
It was perfect.
Crystal closed Gemma’s bedroom curtain feeling as nervous as Gemma looked. “They’re not out there yet. I only saw Red, Biggs, and Jed. And Finlay, of course. You look gorgeous, Gem.” Gemma had worn her hair down, with a delicate tiara made of tiny white and blue flowers.
“Let’s make sure you have everything,” Dixie said. “Something old?”
Gemma held up a bracelet Red had given her. Red was like a surrogate mother to Tru, and a grandmother to the children. Crystal knew how much Gemma adored her. She had a special place in her heart for Bear’s mother, too.
“Something new? Your dress,” Dixie said.
“Something borrowed,” Crystal said with a smile, because she’d lent Gemma her only pair of pink earrings to wear.
Gemma brushed her hair over her shoulder, showing the dangling earrings. “And something blue, of course.” She lifted her dress, revealing the blue garter they’d bought.
“I have something blue, too.” Kennedy lifted her tiny wrist, showing off a silver and blue gemstone bracelet. “Tooman, I mean, Daddy, gave it to me.”
Kennedy looked adorable in a white chiffon dress with flowers appliquéd across the chest and shoulders, with a pair of pink ballet slippers. She insisted on wearing the same hairstyle as Gemma, including the tiara.
“That’s my Tru Blue,” Gemma whispered. She crouched beside Kennedy. “Daddy loves you so much. Do you remember what you’re supposed to do?”
Kennedy nodded. “After Uncle Bullet and Lincoln walk up to Daddy, then me and Uncle Boney walk together.”
Crystal smiled at her nickname for Bones.
“That’s right, sweetie,” Gemma said. “And you’ll hold Uncle Boney’s hand while Mommy and Daddy get married?”
Kennedy nodded, twisting from side to side, her pretty dress swishing over her legs. “Just like we pwacticed.”
Gemma rose to her feet, reaching for Dixie’s and Crystal’s hands. “Are you guys as nervous as I am?”
“Yes, and I’m not the one getting married.” Crystal touched her hair. Gemma had put it up in a topknot, leaving a few tendrils hanging down, just as Tegan had suggested. She had never felt more feminine. She was still getting used to feeling free enough to wear things like that, and it was wreaking havoc with her nerves.
“I’m not nervous,” Dixie said. “I just wish we had filled the yard with eligible bachelors.” She lifted Kennedy into her arms. “Right, Ken? Auntie Dixie needs to find a nice boyfriend.”
“So you can kiss him like Auntie Cwystal and Uncle Beah?”
“Exactly.” Dixie gave Gemma a one-armed hug. “Want me to take Kennedy out and get the men to speed it up?”
Gemma nodded. “Thank you.” She rubbed noses with Kennedy. “See you in a few minutes, baby girl.”
“I need to kiss Cwystal!” She leaned forward, her lips puckered up tight.