Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“I do, and I’m going to record our conversation—it’s standard protocol, but Nora, please know, you’re not in any trouble. You didn’t do anything wrong. Do you understand?”
I nod, because I do. Sometimes my stupid brain gets the better of me and tricks me into thinking it’s my fault Rand hurt me, but Ellis is right. I didn’t do anything wrong.
“Okay, great.” He slides out his phone and taps around on the screen before looking back toward me. “Please state your full name, date of birth, address, and phone number.”
“Nora Leigh Morgan,” I say, followed by my birthdate. “I’m, um, not sure what to say for my address. I guess I don’t really have one right now. Or a phone number. Sorry.”
Ellis nods like my answer is completely normal. “No worries. How do you know Randall Wallace?”
“My mom, she married him.”
“And where is she now?”
Tears sting my eyes but I press on, knowing he’s not asking to be cruel. “She’s dead.”
“How long ago did she pass?”
His questions seem endless—did I ever see Rand hurt my mother, did he hurt me, when did it start, how long, how often.
I answer every single one to the best of my ability, even the ones that hurt. When did he first sexually assault you? How far along are you? Did he know about the baby?
Atlas looks as tormented as I feel by the time we finish, and I can’t help but feel bad for bringing all my issues to his doorstep.
But through it all, he never once let go of my hand. He held onto me like he was my anchor, keeping me moored in place despite the rolling waves.
“I just have one last question,” Ellis says, leaning forward in his seat. “Do you have any idea as to where Rand might be?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t. I wish I did, but I don’t.”
“That’s okay. Thank you for talking to me. If I think of any other questions or need to follow up on anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay. Is…is that all?”
“One more thing,” Ellis says, ducking his head. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to photocopy your diary and also document any current injuries.”
“That’s, yeah, okay. Except I don’t have my diary.”
“Be right back,” Atlas murmurs, releasing my hand and standing from the couch. He darts down the hall, returning seconds later with my diary in his hands.
He passes it to me, and I hug the worn leather book to my chest as though greeting a long, lost friend. “I have so much to tell you,” I whisper to the pages, completely uncaring of how strange I may seem.
This diary has been my only friend for so long that these few days without it have been like torture.
“I have an app on my phone that I can scan the pages with so you don’t have to worry about me losing it or anything.”
“Thank you. Both of you.” I reluctantly pass my diary to Ellis, who sets it on the table beside his chair. “If it’s okay, I think I’d like to lay down. Um. I mean, if you don’t mind. Sorry.” I trip over my words as old worries fight their way to the surface.
“Of course. Let me snap a few pics first and then you’re good to go.”
I stand and allow Ellis to document my black eyes, split eyebrow, healing ribs, along with a handful of mottled bruises on my legs.
By the time he’s finished, both he and Atlas are breathing hard. For a split second, I worry they’re mad at me. But I quickly realize they’re mad for me, not at me.
“Go rest, Pip. I’ll be right here if you need me.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice—I take off down the hall and dive into his bed. It’s every bit as amazing as I thought it would be, and with Atlas’s scent all around me, I’m fast asleep before my head even hits the pillow.
CHAPTER 12
ATLAS
“Should we check on her?” Ellis cracks his neck and then his knuckles, something he’s done over and over since questioning Nora.
Clearly, her answers pained him as much as they did me.
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t think she’s slept well in ages.”
“She’s so small, man. How could he—”
A knock at the front door interrupts him.
“Who in the hell is that?” I ask as Ellis grabs his phone, no doubt to pull the camera feed.
“Did you seriously invite Scarlet over tonight?” His voice drips with disapproval, as if I’d invite Scarlet over after ignoring her for two days while Nora sleeps in my bed.
“Fuck no.” I stand from the couch and stalk to the door. “I haven’t talked to her since Friday night.”
“Guess she got tired of waiting.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “You need to get rid of her.”
“Already on it.” I throw the door open, intent on joining her outside, but she waltzes right past me, shoulder checking me as she invites herself into my house.