Page 17 of Fighting Salvation

She snapped out of her trip down memory lane. “Sorry, I was zoning. No wonder he hates Hansen like he does. I always knew it was personal but this…” Her words trailed off as she absorbed what Hansen had said through new ears. She knew how damaged Niall was by the loss and knowing she’d been so close to that kind of evil made her shudder. “It doesn’t make sense why Hansen didn’t kill me. Surely if he wanted to hurt Bás, killing a member of his team would do it.”

“You’re not just a member of his team, Val. I watched him when he found out about you and I saw the horror and despair on his face. He cares about you and that worries me.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t think he can give you what you need or deserve. I don’t want you waiting around for scraps from a man, who by your own admission, is broken.”

“People can heal, Rafe. You know that after what you and Nix went through.”

Rafe reached for her hand. “Yes, but we both wanted to heal and I’m not sure he does. The anger keeps the pain away and I’m worried if you try and make him let it in, it will destroy you both.”

“I won’t let it, and anyway, it’s a moot point because you have it wrong. Bás sees me as one of the team, that’s all.”

“You’re either blind or stupid, and I know for a fact you’re not stupid, little sister.”

The door cracked open and she lifted her gaze to see the man in question looking at her.

“Can I get a minute with you? Please?”

Rafe glared but she nodded and her brother stood, kissed her head, and walked to the door. “I’ll grab some coffee.” He pinned Bás with a look. “You upset her and I’ll throw you through that fucking window.”

Bás nodded his understanding and stepped aside for Rafe to leave. When the door closed, Val thought the atmosphere would choke the life from her. Moving to the seat beside her, Bás sat and a sigh left his chest. It was so full of exhaustion her heart squeezed for him.

“Have you slept at all or eaten?”

Bás looked a little surprised as if it hadn’t crossed his mind. “Not really.”

“You should. You’re no good to anyone if you fall over from exhaustion and hunger.”

A twitch lifted his lips and he leaned forward, taking her fingers in his. “I’m sorry, Valentina. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

It was probably the first time she’d ever heard him apologise and she knew he meant it from the thickness in his voice. “I forgive you.”

A shudder worked through his shoulders at her words and he laid his head on the sheet. Her fingers moved to his thick hair and she couldn’t stop herself from running them through the silkiness, her nails scraping his scalp.

A groan forced its way past his chest and she smiled and continued. “I heard about your family. I’m so sorry, Niall.” Finally, she could give him the words in person, even if he didn’t know it.

He stiffened under her touch before he turned to look at her and she saw every ounce of guilt and shame he needlessly carried. Her fingers continued to work through his hair and she felt him relax, his fingers tightening around hers.

“I never wanted anyone to know my shame.”

“Not your shame, Niall. You didn’t hurt your family. Hansen did.”

“I should have stopped it.”

“How? How could you have known he was going to do that? You trusted him.”

“I just should have.”

“You can’t save the world, Niall.”

His lips twitched. “You’re calling me Niall now?”

“Only when it’s just us. I like your name. It suits you.”

“I like you using my name.” The admission seemed to surprise him as much as it did her. “I was terrified when he called me to gloat. All I could picture was him doing to you what he’d done to my family.”

“He didn’t hurt me, Niall. I’m safe.”