Page 74 of Cries of Cassie

Another laugh tumbles from him. We went through something truly fucking horrific too, yet...we've kissed, laughed, and smiled since then too. I'll have to trust her.

"Let's check on them," Maddox says, pushing open our bedroom door.

A soft gasp alerts me that something's up first. Then the soft glow of Cassie's laptop lighting up her face comes next, drawing disapproving rumbles from both me and Maddox.

Rip is showering in the attached bathroom, and Koa snores against Cassie's leg. Naughty girl.

"Sweet girl, what did I tell you about getting a good night's sleep?" Maddox asks disapprovingly.

Her face twists, tugging on her cuts and bruises. "I didn't want to go to bed yet."

"Why not?" Maddox plucks the computer from her lap and sits beside her hip.

She runs her fingers through Koa's messy hair and avoids eye contact. Just when I think she won't tell us, my girl murmurs, "What if I have nightmares? What he did...It could be really bad if I fall asleep."

Our answer won't ever be foolproof, but I can do my damndest to be there for her. "Then we'll fight the monsters off all night. For however long it takes. But you will sleep," I command, crawling onto the mattress. I cup her cheek and bring her lips to mine, taking care to be gentle with her swollen mouth.

"Sleep Cassie. We will watch over you," I rumble, helping her lay back into the pillows.

Her whispered, sleepy, "Yes, sir," is music to my ears. I'll always protect her dreams because they are what brought her to me.

Chapter Forty-Six

Cassie

I'm a bruised couch potato. That's what I've become and there's nothing I can do about it. Violet even changed my name on her phone to a potato emoji. That's how severe my doing absolutely nothing for a week has been.

All I do is attempt to sleep, eat when I can stomach it, and rest. Going to physical therapy the other day was the highlight of my week. Mainly because Ripley took me to see Violet and Jamie at the tattoo shop afterward.

Fuck I miss my job.

"Would you let me give you a tattoo?" I ask Ripley, snuggling into his arm on my good side.

He may be warm and willing to cuddle me, but he's still lost in his head most of the time. That or he's hyperfixated on my surroundings. I'm not sure what he needs from me. This helpless feeling I'm stuck with threatens to unravel all the hard work I’ve done to become the woman I am.

"Yes," he grunts, eyes scanning the windows in the living room. I have no clue what he's looking for or what he could possibly be worried about considering we're in our home.

Whatever he has going on in his mind is no match for my excitement, though. Pushing up into a seated position, careful not to let the pillow fall on my tender thighs, I squeal. "Wait really? You'd let me give you your first tattoo?!"

He glances at me, the look in his eyes confused before they track back to guarding our safe place. "I'd let you do anything to me, Pet."

"Can we do it now?! I can tell Jamie to drop my stuff off!" A giddiness that I haven't felt since being taken swarms me until I swear I'm vibrating on the couch. I'm on sexual lockdown, much to my dismay, but this might be just as good.

"No."

My bottom lip drops into a pout. I'd cross my arms if I could, but one of them is stuck in a sling and I hurt almost everywhere still. "You just said I could give you a tattoo, Rip!"

"He did?" Koa interjects, looking surprised as he flops onto the other side of the sectional. "Would you really, Rip?"

"Yes."

Koa frowns. My attention ping pongs between them at a loss. "What's the matter? I know I don't have as much experience as Jamie, but I'm really good I swear."

"That's not it, baby," Koa coos, shuffling toward me on the couch. He pulls my leg into his lap and gently tickles my shin. "Tattoos just aren't something he's wanted."

Okaay. "Why's that? You coulda just said no, Ripley."

His jaw clenches, locking his response away. I try not to let it hurt me. We're all processing the last week and a half at our own pace. This is the most we’ve all spoken to each other since we’ve been home. I’ve tried to give them space, but I’m ready to move forward.