Ryder’s pov ;
I gently lifted her from the car, careful not to jostle her more than necessary. Aubrey was still shivering, even though I’d wrapped my jacket around her.
Once we were in the house, I laid her down on the bed as carefully as I could, tucking the blanket around her. Her face was pale, her eyes red from crying, and it felt like she was just barely holding on. I started to turn away, intending to call the doctor, but her hand shot out, grabbing my wrist.
"Stay..." Her voice was trembling. "Please, Ryder…don’t leave. I…I feel like Gregory will come again."
The fear in her eyes gutted me. I could barely recognize her like this—so broken, so vulnerable. How could I have let this happen? I should’ve been there sooner. I should’ve protected her.
I sat back down, pulling her into my arms, holding her tightly against me. "I swear, Aubrey, I’ll kill him for what he did to you. I’ll make him pay for laying his hands on you."