Page 50 of Barinov

“I know,” I cut in gently. “I don’t blame you.”

I hesitate. Just a second too long.

“Zeke?”

“He did, though,” I add, staring blankly into the darkness. “Bastard wasn’t a fan of that little stunt.”

I flinch despite myself. The memory flashes—the gunshot, the crack of lashes on bare flesh—but I shove it back down. She doesn’t need that, not now. Not ever.

She presses her face against my chest. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey. Shh.” I lower my head, pressing my forehead to the crown of hers. “It’s alright, Bells. I’m okay.”

“No you’re not,” she whispers, sniffling. “I saw your wounds.”

“Nah. They’re all healed by now.” I shrug. “Ain’t nothing I haven’t seen before. Carlos taught me well. Remember?”

She lets out a shaky laugh and smacks my chest. “That’s not funny.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

She goes quiet again. “I hate that you had to endure all of this alone.”

“I never said I was alone,” I admit, my pulse spiking at the memory of her. The way her auburn hair glowed in the candlelight. The way she loved me like her own and never once judged me. How she saved my life in this nightmare more times than I can count.

“What do you mean?” Bella murmurs, her words slurring slightly around a yawn.

I brush my thumb over her knuckles. “We can finish this later.”

“No,” she yawns again. “I want…” Another yawn slips through. “I want to know.”

“You’re exhausted and need some sleep.”

“No,” she pulls me in closer. “Please don’t go.”

“Who said I was leaving?” I ask. “I’m moving in here. Just like Miami, sis.”

“Really?” she beams, looking up at me even though it’s too dark to see.

“I just got you back. You really think I’m gonna leave your ass again?”

Her head settles down fully against my chest. One arm drapes over my stomach like muscle memory never forgot me. Within a minute or two, her breathing slows and deepens. I stay still, running my fingers through her hair as she finally falls asleep.

Chapter 13

LEX

The Obsidian

About to lose my shit if I hear the words ‘I’m sorry’ one more time.

14 days since Bella’s kidnapping.

It’s almost two-thirty in the morning by the time we get back home. Ellie spots us the second we step foot inside The Obsidian. She gasps so loud it echoes across the entire room.

“Cade?!”

He barely turns his head before she’s sprinting toward him in a flash of blonde curls and pink silk. She slams into his chest at full force. He catches her, both arms wrapping around her waist as he stumbles back a step.