CHAPTER 275

Madison

The warm arm across my back wakes me. For a solid minute, I’m in my old world where I’m loved and cared for. When I move, my abs flex. The ache in my stomach brings everything crashing back. Cori and I were raped. Cori is missing two fingers and it’s all because of me.

“Madison,” Moon whispers against my shoulder.

I wish I could pretend to be asleep, but it’s too late for that. He brushes hair off my back and places his hand there. I don’t want to roll over. I don’t want him looking at me. Where are my tears? Where is my anger? Nothingness slams through me, swirling around like a funnel cloud in a dust storm.

Moon rolls me over and then his face blocks my view of the ceiling. “Talk to me, baby, just talk.”

“No,” my croaky voice rasps out.

He cups my jaw, his thumb rubbing my neck. “I love you.”

I close my eyes. I need to say the words back to him; I know I do but they won’t come. He deserves the words. He deserves a woman who is whole. His arms circle me and I’m lifted onto hi