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Screams of terror wake me out of a dead sleep. I jump to my feet, coming alert. Glancing around the room, my eyes scan for the threat. I notice Tristan missing before realizing the screams are due to Désirée having a nightmare.
Moving to the side of the bed, I climb in next to Désirée and pull her into my arms. “Shh,mon trésor, I’ve got you,” I whisper soothingly, hoping to calm her without her waking. “I’ve got you—no one will get you ever again. I promise you, baby, I won’t let anyone get to you again.”
It takes a few moments, but Désirée finally starts calming minutes later, her breathing evened out once more.
Thank fuck.
I decide to stay in the bed, hold Désirée, prove she’s safe with me.
Closing my eyes, I slowly drift back to sleep, inhaling the scent of freshly washed hair.
“Malcolm, please . . .”
I spin in the dark, trying to find her. “Mon trésor, where are you?” I demand, not seeing her anywhere.
“Please, Malcolm, please don’t let him hurt me again.”
“Désirée, where are you? I can’t see you,” I yell, moving through the darkness reaching everywhere, hoping to find her.
“Oh God, he’s going to hurt me again.” Her cries of pain gut me, and I run faster, doing everything I can to get to her.
But I can’t find her anywhere.
Her screams penetrate through the bleakness, tearing me apart. Dimitri’s laughter mixes with it.
Panicking and breathing heavily, I wake up, eyes widening. It’s all I can do not to shoot out of bed. I couldn’t if I wanted to. Glancing down, I realize Désirée’s head was on my chest, arm wrapped around my waist.
I slowly get myself together and relax, knowing—feeling—that Désirée is here. She’s safe. No one can hurt her.
Not now.
Not again.
Not fucking ever.
I’ll make sure of it.
Laying there, I stroke my fingers through Désirée’s hair, knowing I won’t be getting back to sleep. Not any time soon. I also don’t intend to move from this spot. I’m enjoying having my woman curled into me even if she doesn’t know she’s mine. She will in time. I’m not going to rush her into anything she’s not ready for, but she’ll know I’m here.
