Page 158 of Hostile Saint

They were memories.

Maybe that is the case for all of us.

We’re not mad. We’re simply… destroyed.

And then her sadness took over. Wisdom was drowned out by sorrow. This must have been when she gave up.

My arms tightened around her. Not destroyed, baby. Only stronger…

Charlie stayed in the back with his snout next to me. He watched Lacey with incredible attentiveness, already taking to her like he had me. Lynx was driving, both hands on the wheel, nerves high. Elle kept peering over her shoulder, nibbling on nails I was confident had been gnawed away hours ago. Barely any words were shared as the night continued on.

Then it happened. Lacey finally began to stir in my arms. I think we all stopped breathing. Would she have any recollection of me? Even if she only knew of me from the institute, that would be enough for me to build on. Could I at least have that?

Hazel eyes opened… “You cut your hair.”

I don’t know how long my mouth hung open, but it was long enough for her to talk again.

She was still under the influence, but she gently said, “I dreamt of you.” Tiredly, she smiled. “You were a little older.” She sighed into my chest. “You told me it was time to remember.” Her eyes drifted shut. “You told me to tell your son… you love him.”

Her breathing told me she was back asleep.

Oh my God.

He’s still watching over me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Saving Loves

We were on the good side of the Texas state line by the time Lace woke up again and was actually aware of being in a vehicle. Having been in need of sleep myself, I had laid us down. Curled up in a fetal position on top of me, under a blanket, she peered out, only to gasp and seize in alarm.

I tightened my arm resting over her. “I’m here. You’re okay.”

Her head lifted in a rush, her eyes wide. As soon as she recognized me, she looked around the SUV again. “Where are we?”

I tucked hair behind her ear. “On our way to a new home.” It was such a full circle moment. I was incredibly calm. “Is that okay?”

She nodded timidly.

“Would you like to meet my friends?”

As Elle beamed from the front seat, waving at her, Lacey kept her hands plastered to my chest. She didn’t want to sit up. She stayed on top of me, wanting to be super close, preferring to hide. “The ones who took you home?”

Besides being a student at school, who was more like a ghost no one noticed, Lace had no experience with other people. So, gently, I answered, “One of them is in here.”

I smiled proudly as Lynx lifted his big ol’ paw, casually announcing he was the one, “Hey, Pretty Girl!”

She whispered to me, “He knows my nickname.”

My chest eased…

It was going to be a long road, but I knew we were going to make it. “Yeah, they all do. You’re my girl.”

Resting her head back on my chest, Lacey shyly waved to Elle. “I’ve never had a friend before.” She patted me. “Except, Tate.”

Elle visibly swallowed, now knowing what it was like to be Lynx, having his first conversations with me. “He’s a wonderful friend to have.”

Lacey nodded, her sweet face rubbing against me, making my world whole again.