Chapter 20 Finn
FINN
I check on Maddy while River makes the call to Lily. I’m unsure what I expect to find, but it’s way worse than I could have imagined.
When I knock on the door, the feeble voice that replies doesn’t sound like Maddy.
“Come in.” She sounds hollow.
I open the door, and my heart breaks at the sight of her sitting on the edge of the bed, her hair matted with dry mud, her clothes torn, her skin pale.
I’m not a violent man, but right now, I feel a storm burst through me. And when Maddy's and mine’s gazes lock, that storm morphs into something so unfamiliar that I can’t even think of a word for it.
“Maddy,” I manage to get out.
I can tell she’s fighting back tears, always wanting to be tough. But in the end, she breaks the fuck down, her shoulders quivering as tears stream down her cheeks.
I hurry, crouch in front of her, and wrap my arms around her. She collapses into me and cries on my shoulder.
“I promise whoever did this to you will pay,” I say, my voice cracking. “I’ll make sure of that.”
It’s the most genuine promise I’ve ever made, and to be honest, I’m fucking terrified. Because I barely know this girl, and I’m willing to beat the hell out of someone for her.
It makes me wonder what would happen if I fell for her more.
But I can’t do that.
Not when it’s pretty clear River has fallen for her, too.
If I let myself fall for Maddy, both he and I will end up breaking.