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My tears coated her silky strands, but I couldn’t let her go. Couldn’t let anyone see how this woman undid me.
No one dared to approach us as we clung to each other, shaking with emotion. Slowly, I realized it wasn’t me who was shaking. I pulled her closer, rubbing her arms and back to calm her.
I whispered in her ear. Peppered her face with kisses. But she couldn’t stop fucking trembling.
“Vander.” She looked up at me. Her royal blue eyes seemed brighter, with tears clinging to her lashes. “I—I can’t be here. Take me home.”
Understanding dawned on me. She was having the same flashbacks, only she’d lost something here.
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her to the elevators. Not caring that she was in a hospital gown without shoes. She needed to leave. And I’d give her everything she needed.
“She should—.” I shot the doctor a glare as he tried to step into our path. He shrunk back like I’d hit him. And I would. I’d tear this place down brick by brick if that’s what it took.
“I’ve got you, Sunflower.” I pulled Grace closer, kissing the top of her head. “You’re safe.”
* * *
“You’re sure you don’t want anything else?” I asked as I hovered in the doorway of Grace’s bedroom.
She was sitting up in bed, surrounded by everything she could possibly need. Snacks, books, the hat she’d been crocheting. The TV remote, blankets, pillows, an ice pack, and a heating pad.
She was getting lost in all the things I’d brought her. But I’d needed to do something to calm the anxiety in my chest. Even seeing her home and safe wasn’t enough.
“I’m not hurt.” Her face pinched in annoyance, but I saw the little smile she fought. “I can get up if—.”
“No.” Her lip twitched again at my firm tone. “You’ll call me if you need anything.”
My hand rested on the doorknob, but I wasn’t ready to go yet. I needed one more look at her. A last reassurance that she was okay. A few scratches and a bruised knee. They’d disappear in a few days, unlike the fear in my bones.
Her red hair fell over her shoulder as she examined me in the same way. Her brows furrowed, and her fingers toyed with the yarn in her lap.
“You really lost it back there.” I saw the confusion in her eyes because I still hadn’t told her what she meant to me. “I’ve never seen you like that.”
No, she hadn’t, but others had. Because of her. Only she had the power to do that to me.
“That’s not the first time I’ve destroyed a hospital to get to you, Sunflower.”
My stomach tightened as she looked at me with an expression I couldn’t decipher. “Alessandra might have said something.”
My exhale was audible in the room as I rubbed between my eyes. “I’m starting to question her as my therapist. It doesn’t seem like she can keep a secret.”
“In fairness, you weren’t going to her then.” I smiled as she defended her friend. She was nothing if not loyal.
I made a noncommittal sound as I closed the door, but her voice pulled me back. My gaze found hers again. She seemed to glow in the setting sun streaming in from the windows.
“Vander, why does it make you upset?”
“What? Seeing you in pain?” Her nod was shaky; from nerves or a headache, I didn’t know. I shouldn’t tell her. But right now, with her injured in bed, my defenses were down. “Because when you’re hurt, it’s like I’m hurt. Sunflower, you’re oxygen to me. I can’t breathe without you.”
Her lips parted in shock, but I closed the door before I could see the effect of my words. I couldn’t handle her rejection today. Couldn’t cope if she didn’t feel the same.
I was weak enough right now that I might let her go if she asked. It would kill me. Rip the breath from my lungs. But if it made her happy, I might do it.
32
Grace
My heart knocked in my chest as my hand hung in front of me. I was a statue, stuck. I needed to move. Close the distance and open the door, walk into Vander’s room. I could do this. I wanted to do this.
