Her spark, her fire, is finding its way back.
layla
. . .
Ithought I was making progress, but this morning I find myself back at the same dread and despair.
He’s still out there.
Reed’s arm tightens around me as I lie there, trying to steady my breathing. The gentle brush of his lips against my shoulder pulls me back to the present.
“You still awake?” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
He hums and shifts closer until his forehead rests against the curve of my back. One of his hands slides down, and his palm settles over my stomach as his thumb moves in slow circles, so gentle it almost overwhelms me.
“You hurtin’?” he asks quietly.
“Just tired,” I say, my voice barely there.
He nods, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. “This takes time, baby, and I’ll be here every step of the way if you’ll let me,” he whispers, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.
His words bring tears to my eyes. I place my hand overhis, feeling the roughness of his knuckles against my fingertips.
I want to believe him, but how can I when this maniac is still out there with Reed’s address? His silence is starting to scare me.
My phone buzzes for the fourth time.
Reed lifts his head slightly, brow furrowing. “You need to check that?”
I hesitate, then nod. “Yeah… just in case.”
Reaching for my phone, I click the side button, seeing the flood of messages coming in from none other than the psycho himself.
Brian
You really think I’d let you run away from me?
You dumb bitch.
His address was on those letters.
I’m coming, Layla.
My hand shakes so hard I nearly drop the phone.
He notices immediately. “What is it?” he asks, his voice low but edged with alarm.
I can’t speak, so I turn the screen toward him. He grabs his glasses from the nightstand and quickly puts them on.
His eyes darken as he focuses on reading, his jaw tightening and every muscle in his body going still.
“Layla,” he says softly, like he’s forcing himself to stay calm. “When did this come in?”
“Just now.” My voice cracks.
He exhales slowly, taking the phone from me, setting it on the nightstand, before he pulls me close.
