***VERA***

I spent the night rolling from side to side on my bed, thinking about Tricia—her face, her bruises, and the sadness embedded in her eyes. I couldn’t understand what had happened to her or why she looked so maltreated. Thoughts flooded my mind making it impossible to sleep.

Conry noticed how restless I was and pulled me gently into his arms. He didn’t say anything, he just held me tightly like I meant everything to him. The warmth of his chest pressing against my back was enough ...