I return with the kit, handing it to him. “Sit,” he commands, pointing at his lap.
“Grayson…I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Gray,” he reiterates, “and, once again, it wasn’t a question.”
I roll my eyes, doing as he says. His legs are warm under me, our bare skin fusing in the most delicious way. With the precision of a surgeon, he pulls the glass shards from my skin, making sure to clean the area before covering it with a large Band-Aid.
He kisses the Band-Aid. “There. Better,” he says to himself, satisfied.
We sit in silence for a moment, unsure what to do. I’m scared to leave him alone for the night. His injuries are pretty severe, and I need to make sure his symptoms don’t change. On the other hand, I don’t want to intrude.
Maybe I can just come back early in the morning to check on him?
I decide I’ll go home for the night. When I try to get up, Grayson's arms lock around me. “Stay,” he pleads, his voice timid, afraid I’ll shut him down. “It’s late and cold out and…just please say you’ll stay, just for the night.”
I’m terrified if I leave, he could be triggered by something and fall into another panic attack. He looks to be halfway there at the thought of me leaving. I wouldn’t be able to live withmyself if he got hurt more or was stuck in that traumatic place alone.
“Sure, I’ll stay. I’m not going anywhere, I promise. Let’s get you in bed, huh?” I slip off his lap, helping him under the covers of his bed right next to us. I make sure his pillows have him propped enough to support his ribs before smoothing his hair out of his face. “Goodnight,Gray.”
“Where are you going?”
I give him a soft smile. “I’m going to sleep in Nova's room.”
“I want you here. With me.”
His tone never wavers. His eyes hold true, and he means every word with his whole chest. He needs me, and I want to give myself over to him. Just this once. For him, but, selfishly, for me too.
“Okay.”
I fall asleep nuzzled in Grayson's warm arms, getting the deepest sleep I’ve had since the accident.
Research notes: cowboys will mend your wounds, and not just your physical ones.
grayson
. . .
TWENTY-FOUR
I waketo the intoxicating scent of cherries and almonds. It’s hot as balls, every inch of my body covered in sweat like I have a heated blanket on. I struggle to peel my eyes open. Everything hurts, from my throbbing head to my ribs when I breathe.
The heated blanket on me shifts, and a beautiful angel comes into view, wrapped tightly in my arms. She clings to me like a spider monkey. I’m instantly brought back to last night's events. The fight. The man I killed with my bare fists like the monster they made me become.
The blood.
Everywhere.
Mine. His. Maisie’s.
I let my emotions get the best of me last night, falling into old habits. I letthemget to me. They wanted me to break under their thumb, and I gave them exactly what they wanted.
They were wrong. I may have lost myself last night, but I found Maisie and her strength. They threatened me with her, and that only makes me want to hold her closer, to protect her.
I’ll let them think they’ve won. I’ll stop pushing back every time they summon me to fight, let them think they have me wrapped around their little finger. Meanwhile, I’ll have Morettidig even deeper until we can turn the entire operation upside down, lighting it to the ground with them inside at the same time as having Maisie tucked safely into my side.
Maisie.
She came to my rescue like some superhero last night, barging into my shamble of a life without a look back. She had no idea what she was walking into, but she ran anyway. She could have gotten hurt.
