Page 20 of Fractured Memories

I nod, trying to digest that. “So, the same.” Jude was the one who drove us up the mountain, so he knows that she was practically a wild animal in the car.

“Yeah.” Even he seems bothered by the answer. “The same.”

“You need to earn her trust again, Kieran.” Rohan moves to the chair across from me, sitting. “She’s acting this way because she feels threatened, and we’d all do the same in her place. Hell, this was how she was when she first met us.” He gestures to him and Lochlan.

I nod but don’t respond. The truth is, I don’t know how to calm her down enough to get her to trust me. I’m worried that if I try to give her more freedom and show her she’s not a prisoner, she’ll leave, and after the rebels took her, she’s not safe anywhere else.

“How did you win her over in the first place?” Lochlan eyes me like it’s not the first time he’s wondered. “You’re kind of an arsehole, Kier.”

I shoot him a glare. “Thanks.” I scrub at my jaw, trying to come up with an answer. “I showed her that we were compatible.” Starting with how much we liked to make others bleed. “But if she has no memory of who she is, I don’t know how to do that.”

I manage to keep my voice even if it feels raw to admit that. I love my wife. I’m just worried she doesn't exist anymore, and it’s an impossible thought to swallow.

Jude makes a grunt of agreement. “Kieran is right. Their relationship was entirely on her terms, but that was when she had her own life, her own home, and no enemies after her. This is more complex.” He saw every step of it, so he knows exactly how I won her over.

“Then explain it to her,” Lochlan urges. “Help her see that she’s here for her safety⁠—“

“She doesn’t trust me, Lo.” I look away. “The rebels probably tried to poison her against me, and now it’s a fucking mess. She won’t believe anything I say.”

I need to protect her, but in doing so, I forfeit her trust. There’s no way for me to have both.

Not to mention that I have no idea how to connect with her when she has no memories. She doesn’t remember her time on the mat or her love for a sunset over the mountain peaks. And I doubt that if I try to show her, she’ll focus on anything but fighting me for long enough to notice.

“What about Mika?” Jude’s gaze meets mine. “Eden trusted her almost instantly the first time they met. If anyone could get through to your wife, it might be her.”

That gives me pause. Mika and Eden have been almost inseparable as long as they’ve known each other. She might be just the person that Eden needs right now.

“I think you’re right,” I murmur. “I’m not sure how receptive Eden will be, but ask Mika if she’s willing to find out.”

Jude’s lips twitch as he thinks about his wife. “She’ll be thrilled. She’s missed Eden.”

So have I. But I don’t say that.

I just nod as Jude leaves, letting my memories of Eden wash over me. This was so much easier when killing a man in front of her was the way to win her over.

Maybe that will be plan B.

CHAPTER 7

KIERAN

Seventeen months before Eden went missing…

“What do you mean no?” Lochlan protests behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him throw a look at Rohan. “You never go into the city without me. It’s a rule.”

“Because we are such a rule-abiding bunch,” I answer dryly.

“It’s for your safety.” Rohan’s tone is neutral, but I hear the underlying accusation. “Besides, if I have to stay behind, it’s not fair to leave me with Lochlan.”

I turn around to see Lochlan roll his eyes. “Like I want to be stuck with him.” Lochlan looks at me as he motions to Rohan. “He’s so boring.”

Lochlan says the word with so much disgust you’d think Rohan was diseased.

“You two have your own homes,” I remind them, adjusting the cuffs I’ve rolled up. I hate having sleeves get in the way of my mobility, so they hug my biceps, leaving me plenty of room to move. “Go there.”

“I’m going with you.” Lochlan crosses his arms, giving me a look as if his word is final.

How cute.