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I think of the home I had in LA. Nox, Dove, and the boys, with Raphael on my speed dial. Yes, I want that. I need that. It's the only way I'm going to heal from everything that's happened here.
"I'll take you home," he promises. "I'll make sure everything's okay. I'm here now, Willa. I'm not going to leave your side ever again."
Tears of gratitude flow down my cheeks as I listen to him, and I lean my head against the crook of his arm, letting him take care of me, just like he always does.
I need this, need him. I just hope he'll still want me after he finds out everything that's happened while we've been apart.
We're in the car in front of Dove and Nox's house. My parents are standing on the lawn, Dove nervously twisting her arms while Nox attempts to talk her down.
"You ready, trouble?" Raphael asks in his soft tone reserved specially for me, and I find myself nodding. I'm still not talking, still sometimes losing myself in the darkest corners of my mind.
Softly, Raphael opens the door. Dove clutches her chest while he helps me out of the car. My feet hit the sidewalk and I get out on shaky feet. Before I've taken a single step, Dove's body slams against mine and she lets out a sob as she envelops me in a hug. Nox is close behind, hugging us both as I shiver in their embrace. Silent tears slip down my cheeks, and when Dove pulls back to look at me, I just hope my eyes convey the apology I can't force myself to say.
"Welcome home, Willa," Dove whispers and I manage a shaky smile.
"Thank you for bringing her back," Nox mutters to Raphael. I can tell how difficult this is for him, thanking a man he wants to hate. But he's trying, and that means everything to me. "We've got it from here."
"You don't need to be so cold, Nox," Dove mutters, glancing at Raphael. "We're incredibly grateful to you, Raphael."
"Thank you," he says with a firm smile. "I did what I could. I would like to check on Willa weekly though, if you agree."
I can tell this pisses Nox off, but I nudge him with my elbow and nod, not giving him much choice.
"Fine," he mutters. "Once a week."
"I'll be back soon," Raphael says to them, nodding before turning to face me. "You sure you're going to be okay, Willa?"
I nod silently. I haven't told Raphael what happened in Theo's apartment yet. I'm too ashamed. But I hope as the weeks pass and I slowly regain my life, I'll be able to trust him with the truth.
But Raphael, on the other hand, has told me everything.
He told me about Elise and Austin, and her shocking confession that kept us apart for a year. I cried for him, for the months we could have been together and for the life we both threw away. But now, things are going to be better. I'll never make the same mistake again.
Raphael also told me he was behind the TyrantDaddy username, which completely melted my heart. He found a way to help me and stay a part of my life, and if he hadn't, God knows what would have happened in that hotel room. I'm eternally grateful to him for that.
"I'll see you soon, trouble," Raphael mutters. He doesn't try to hug me, but I pull him against me anyway, leaving the ghost of a kiss against his lips.
We haven't discussed what's going to happen from here on in, but my needs haven't changed. Raphael Santino is still the only man I need.
"See you soon," I say brokenly, my voice hoarse from not speaking for so long. My parents embrace me as we watch Raphael get in his car and drive away. It'll be so hard to stay away from him for a week. But I have to – my family is waiting for me to start my healing process, and while I have a long road ahead, I'm hopeful with time, I'll get better.
3 months later
Raphael came by the house every week, just as we'd agreed.
The first week was hard. I was dealing with the loss of Mercy, who stayed behind in New York, our broken friendship past the point of being mended. I still worry about her, knowing what she went through – the same thing I experienced. If it's this hard for me, I can only imagine how my former best friend is dealing with everything.
But, as the weeks went by, it got easier. I slowly started speaking more, longing for Raphael's visits. After a month, Dove and Nox agreed to let him come by twice a week, then three times. I'm doing therapy, group sessions as well as individual ones, trying to work through everything that has happened. And the whole time, I hope things will work out for Raphael and me. They have to, because my feelings have only grown stronger.
