“He went to pick up more blood for us,” Maya said.
Dante ran a hand through his hair and tugged at the ends.
“A walk sounds nice,” Cassidy said. “I’ll stay here to make sure the kids don’t burn down the house.”
“They already tried once,” Maya said with a small smile that succeeded in coaxing one from Dante too.
“Oh, I’m sure,” Cassidy said. “If they’re anything like my siblings and me, they’ll try again.”
“Please, take a walk with me,” Maya said. “The gardens are lovely right now.”
My sister has gardens, Dante thought.My dead, and then not dead, sister has gardens.
He wanted to get out of this perfect little home and away from all this so he could think, but he found himself nodding in agreement. Cassidy smiled at him as he strode over to pull her close and kiss her temple.
“Are you okay?”she whispered in his mind.
“Yes.”He clasped her against him before releasing her. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time,” she said. “I’ll let the others know we’ll be here for a little longer.”
“The others?” Maya asked.
“Some of my family came with us,” Cassidy explained.
“Oh,” Maya said and glanced nervously toward the window.
“They’re harmless,” Cassidy assured her.Or at least they’re mostly harmless. But she kept that to herself. “Go on; enjoy your walk. I’ll see you soon.”
“The kids will probably sneak back down soon.”
“I have nine siblings and an assortment of nieces and nephews; I know how to keep kids entertained.”
Maya’s eyebrows shot into her hairline. “I bet you do.”
“Go on; we’ll be fine.”
Maya hesitated before replying. “Thank you.”
Cassidy watched as they walked out of the room. She listened as a door opened and closed before sitting on the edge of the couch again. Dropping her head into her hand, she rubbed her forehead as she tried to understand this turn of events.
She lifted her head to gaze around the cozy room. She could still feel Dante’s sense of betrayal reverberating within her. It would be a long time before he accepted this, but she hoped he would one day.
Chapter Fifty-Two
“I gave her the locket,”Dante said as he stared at the ceiling while running Cassidy’s hair through his fingers.
She’d already noticed he wasn’t wearing it when they returned home, but she didn’t get the chance to comment as he’d taken her with a desperation she’d never experienced from him before. He’d been trying to forget, if only for a little bit, everything that happened. And now, reality was returning.
The only time Dante spoke after leaving Maya’s house was to thank Brian for his help when Brian dropped them off at home. Brian told him that he would help anytime Dante needed it. Then, he and Abby left for home.
Cassidy wanted to cry for him and everything he lost, but he wouldn’t want that. So, she did the best she could by simply being there for him. But now, he was finally talking again.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“No,” he admitted. “But I will be.”
Resting her hand on his chest, she ran her fingers over the thick muscle and wiry hair there. “I know.”
