Page 104 of Xavier

Twenty-eight

Him

She looks so peaceful.

Just the soft hue from the moonlight filtering through the blinds, washing over her. Watching over her.

I know she’s safe here in Kaine’s apartment. He’s about as paranoid as they come and his place is a fortress. I know there’s nowhere else in the world I feel would be safer for Malynda right now.

Not even with me.

Her breathing is slow but steady in her deep sleep. I reach over and brush a hair off her cheek, and she doesn’t even stir.

My sweet, beautiful girl.

She looks so peaceful, but all I can see is the trauma she’s been through.

My breath catches in my throat as the image replays in my mind of her terrified, fighting the assault, running for her life.

And the shame, the shame that followed.

She was in trouble.

And I wasn’t there to save her.

Yes, I know all about shame.

I lean over and brush a kiss on her forehead. This time, her breath quickens and her eyelashes flutter against her cheek, then still.

“I’m sorry, my love,” I whisper. I tiptoe out of the room and close the door silently behind me.