Chapter 10 Mckenna #2
Because I never came forward. I never named him. I never told my story the way I should have to ensure justice is served, to receive any closure.
My heartbeat thumps in my temples as I shift farther behind the tree. I suck in air, my panic attack shimmering on the edges of my vision.
My shoulders shake and black dots dance in front of my eyes.
My fingers curl into the tree bark and I pull in a lungful of air.
I see my sneakers, I smell freshly cut grass, I hear my peers talking and laughing, I touch tree bark, I taste air.
I focus on my five senses, clawing back from the brink of panic. As my heart rate slows, I lift my head and track Bran as he disappears into a building across the quad. The second he is out of sight—and farther away from me—relief snakes through my limbs.
I sag against the tree.
“Let’s go, Kenny,” Drew says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and leading me to the parking lot.
Before we make it to my car, Alfred pulls up in a black SUV and Drew helps me slide into the back seat before he presses in next to me.
I breathe in and out, practicing box breathing, as Drew clicks in my seat belt and Alfred leaves campus.
When we’re two blocks away, my breathing finally levels out.
“Here.” Alfred passes a bottle of water to Drew, who uncaps it and holds it to my lips.
“Thanks,” I croak, leaning forward and taking small sips.
Drew and Alfred are quiet, giving me space to process my thoughts. With each street we pass, my nerves settle and my mind clears.
I’m tired of living in fear. When I first started receiving notes from Bran, I swore I wouldn’t change my daily life. But I did. It happened naturally as anxieties and uncertainties increased.
This isn’t how I want to live, afraid to go to the grocery store, looking over my shoulder on campus, having Drew shadow my every move.
When we pull up to the brownstone, Mav is already seated on the front steps. Concern washes over his expression and he stands as the SUV comes to a stop.
But when I slide out of the back seat, I’m no longer in the throes of a panic attack. I straighten my spine, push back my shoulders, and lift my head.
I will not cower. I will not be ashamed. I will not hide.
“Mckenna,” Mav’s voice cracks.
I look at him and heave out a deep breath. “Take me somewhere.”
He frowns. “What?”
“Let’s get out of here. Take me somewhere, Mav,” I repeat.
Mav studies me for a long moment, his expression serious and observant. I note the shift in his eyes when he comes to a decision. “My car, or Alfred’s?”
Relief skitters through me. “Yours, please.”
He nods and walks toward me. He envelops me in a hug and I clutch at him, breathing deeply, savoring his scent. Mav kisses the top of my head and pulls keys from his pocket. “Let me have a word with Alfred and Drew.”
“Okay,” I agree. “I’m going to drop my transcript inside.”
I head inside while Mav speaks to his driver and bodyguard. I change into a skirt and blouse, pull my hair into a bun, and slip into some slides. When I re-emerge outside, the black SUV is gone and Mav is leaning against his ride, his arms crossed against his chest.
He grins when he sees me. “I’m going out of my mind, you know?”
“I know, but I’m okay, Mav.”
“You’re more than okay, Mckenna. You’re strong as hell.”
I smirk.
He sighs and opens the passenger door. “You ready?”
Nodding, I turn to lock the front door of the brownstone. Then, I skip down the stairs and slip into Mav’s passenger seat.
He drives us away from the row of brownstones and out of the city entirely.
I fill him in on seeing Bran. He lets me know that he’s already reached out to his contacts as well as the detective on my case.
“You seem a lot more at ease than I would have thought,” Mav remarks, glancing at me.
“I made an important decision.”
“I’m sensing that.”
I smile at him, my first real smile in days. “I’m going to press charges,” I announce. Then, I relax in my seat, turn up the volume on the playlist, and enjoy the passing scenery.
Beside me, Mav remains silent, as if sensing I need more time to gather my thoughts. But his large palm lands on my thigh and I lace my fingers with his.
We ride for nearly an hour before Mav turns into Newbury, a quaint town, that opens before us like a present.
“You brought me to Newbury?”
He smirks. “It’s relaxing. We can have some tea, walk on the beach, and talk.”
“You’re worried?”
“I want to understand more about your decision.”
“Do you think it’s the wrong choice?”
“I don’t have enough information to know anything. Besides, it’s not up to me.”
“That’s fair.”
He clasps my hand tightly. “No matter what happens, we’re in this together. I’ll always have your back, beauty.”
“I know, Mav. I never doubted that.”
Mav parks his SUV, a smile ghosting his lips. “Tea?”
“Tea,” I confirm, slipping from the SUV.
My feet hit the ground solidly and I no longer feel shaky. My panic attack has receded and for the first time in ages, I feel like the old me. Decisive, sassy, confident in my skin.
I look at the charming town of Newbury and smile. New beginnings shimmer on the horizon.
When Mav steps besides me, I join our fingers together, and we fall into step as we search for the perfect tea shop to discuss our next steps.
Together. As a team.
As a couple.
“Mm,” I murmur as the peach tea rolls over my tongue.
“Have a scone,” Mav advises, finishing one in two bites.
I snort but I take a scone and cut it carefully before adding some clotted cream.
“What was he doing on campus?” Mav asks.
“Just walking across the quad before entering the law school. But…”
“What?”
I frown, tucking my hair behind my ears. “It’s the way he was walking. Like he’s God’s gift to humanity. He didn’t shirk away or duck his head or look anything but entirely confident. So sure of himself,” I bite out. “It was…infuriating.”
“You’re angry.”
“And…I’m ashamed.”
Mav’s eyebrows pull together and his fingertips brush over my knuckles. “Mckenna, you have nothing—”
“I’m not ashamed about what happened. I’m ashamed that I didn’t say anything.
No one knows the truth and the fact that it’s hidden allows Bran to continue living, walking around, like everything is fine.
It’s not, Mav. What if he does something to another woman?
” I shake my head. “I’m more than angry. I’m…vengeful.”
Mav smiles.
“What?” I snap.
He shakes his head. “I’m just happy, fucking relieved, to see some of your spunk again. You want revenge on Bran? Let’s fucking get it.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“No,” Mav agrees. His expression sobers and his palm covers the back of my hand. “But anything worthwhile is rarely easy.”
“True,” I sigh. “I feel ready though. When I first saw Bran, panic took over. I’m so grateful Drew was there. But then, the realization that no one knows the truth slammed into me and…everything changed. It’s a total perspective shift.”
“I’m glad, Mckenna. All I want is for you to feel like yourself.”
“I’m getting there,” I admit. “Want to take a walk on the beach? And, on the way home, can we stop at my dad’s?”
“Of course.”
“He should know the truth. I need to talk to a lawyer. I need to understand whatever my dad’s deal with Bran’s father is.”
“That deal is moot now.”
“I know.” That deal died the moment I discovered Bran’s first note. “Mr. Burton told Dad he has no clue where Bran is.”
“Do you believe that?”
“No.”
“Me neither.”
“Someone is helping Bran. He’s been all over Boston. Our street, the supermarket, campus. I find it hard to believe that the police have nothing on him.”
“Unless the police are being paid off,” Mav muses.
“Exactly.”
“Who has the resources and political clout to make that happen?”
“Well, Bran’s family is wealthy…” I trail off as a detail shimmers on the edges of my mind.
“His cousin ran for office,” Mav supplies.
And there it is. “Eric!”
Mav frowns. “Do you know him?”
“No, but he visited Bran a few times on campus. They’re…close.”
“Everything is on the table right now. Every angle. We’re going to put this shit to bed, Mckenna.”
“Yes,” I agree, and for the first time, I believe it.
I’m ready to hold Bran accountable for his actions. I’m ready to stand up for myself.
A few months ago, I was too raw. But now…a surge of anger rises in me. Now, I want justice. Closure.
I want to take Branson Burton down.