Hunt and Pray by Sutherland Cindy

Author:Sutherland, Cindy [Sutherland, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2013-04-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

DREW was stunned. “Why didn’t you… why did he…?” He didn’t know what answer to go looking for first… or if he truly wanted one at all.

Chance’s head hung heavily between his shoulders. “He strangled her with his bare hands and then made it seem like she’d hung herself. I never”—Chance swallowed hard—“told anyone about it… until now.”

Drew reached up and tentatively put his hand on Chance’s arm. He waited for the other man to push him away but he didn’t, seeming to take comfort in the gesture.

“It’s not that I doubt you, but how do you know he… did that?” Drew gestured vaguely with his hands, like saying the words might hurt Chance all over again.

“I saw it happen.”

Those quiet words dug themselves into Drew’s soul.

“Jesus Christ! How old were you?” Drew cringed as he waited for the answer.

“Three.” The word sounded like it was forced out over crushed glass. “She hid me in a closet, but I could still see what was happening. I have flashes of her begging him to stop until she couldn’t speak anymore.”

“Fuck….” Drew felt sick to his stomach. Just the idea of three-year-old Chance watching the violent death of his mother at the hands of his father made him want to go back to the cabin and kill someone for the first time in his life. No one’s innocence should be destroyed like that.

“I know—” Chance broke off, swallowing again, then continued. “I know I should have told someone a long time ago. He strung her up in their bedroom and told everyone she killed herself.”

Chance was shaking, and Drew didn’t even really think about it. He just moved the hand on Chance’s arm around his chest so he had both arms around him and held tightly to try to stop it. Chance let him.

“She was bruised and bloody, yet not one person questioned his account of what happened. Why should they?” Chance muttered. “After all, he was Colonel Kevin Collins, American war hero extraordinaire, and beyond being fucking questioned about his wife’s death.”

It felt like Chance was going to shake apart with grief while Drew tried to hold him together.

“Chance… it wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have stopped it.” Drew wished with all his heart he knew Chance better. It might have helped him find the words to comfort him.

“No… I know. I figured that out a long time ago. But I should have told someone, tried at least to find her justice, but I couldn’t. I was too afraid.” Chance’s voice was dripping with pain and shame.

Drew took Chance’s chin in his hand and turned his head so he had to meet Drew’s eyes. “He’s your father, the person who’s supposed to love and protect you more than anyone. Instead he hurt you and tried to twist you into being something you’re not.”

Drew had never before seen such agony in someone’s eyes. “And yet with everything he did to try and fuck you up, here you are, saving my life.”

“It’s never gonna be enough.

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