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Becka nodded again, turning into my palm more desperately, cupping it in both of hers. Curling into the side of the tub I thought she was attempting to fit her whole body in my hand.
“I’m so tired,” she whispered.
“Drink this, then you can sleep.”
I had already gotten her to drink a few cups of water, but Nova had run out to get children’s Pedialyte, swearing it worked wonders. Becka choked down the liquid, her face scrunching in protest at the sweetness.
When she finished I took the glass and got a towel off the rack. Then helped Becka out of the tub, picked her up and carried her to the bed. Pulling back the covers I tucked her in, towel and all. I crawled in beside her, not caring that I would burn up fully clothed in my sweat pants and T-shirt. Instantly she turned and I wrapped her in my arms, her face burrowed into my chest. I brushed my lips against her forehead and kissed her gently. It took less than a minute for her to fall asleep.
As I held her tight into my chest, Becka’s even breathing puffed against my skin, I swallowed the reality that things had changed.
I’d already set plans in motion to send Becka away. To a town within driving distance to wherever her grandmother would be, along with fake IDs and any kind of paperwork she would need if she decided to go back to work. She’d be able to live a normal life far removed from any sort of mafia misery. Also, I planned to set her up with a hefty bank account where she would never want for anything.
Now my plan was blown to hell. I was going to use seeing her grandmother as a way to manipulate her— something I’m not proud of but willing to do to convince her she could be happy— and start a new life.
If I followed through with those plans now I would be sending her away to be completely alone. The thought made me sick to my stomach.
No.I could never hurt her like that. Arianna and I are all Becka has left. I couldn’t send her away if my life depended on it. Could never ask her to leave and be alone in hiding, like when she was a child. And because, I wanted more than anything for her to stay, and this was the perfect excuse to tell myself it had been a stupid plan to begin with.
Closing my eyes I fell asleep with her next to me. Swearing that if it took every ounce of my being I would keep her safe and happy for what I hoped would be a long life of having her stay where she was.
Right beside me.
