But when he pulled out—slowly, watching her gaping little hole clench around nothing—he surprised her by gathering her shaking body against his chest. "Easy, baby girl," he murmured, calloused hands soaping gentle circles down her bruised back. His fingers trailed lower, thumb pressing apologetically against her sore pussy lips. "Did Grandpa go too hard?"

Stiles burst into tears against his bony shoulder—not from pain, but the unfamiliar tenderness. Jackson had never held her after, never asked. "N-no," she sniffled, clinging to his wiry frame. "Best I ever...ever..."