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“Keep her out of trouble, defiler.”
I nod, holding his gaze to let him know I’ll protect her with my life. Rhys and I might not be back to normal yet, but I know now that we will get there.
“Goodnight, asshole.” Lena shoves him out the door and his laughter trails out after him.
I cross the room as she shuts the door, tugging her against me and soaking in how good it feels to have her in my arms.
“Are you okay?” I brush my hand over her forehead and hair, letting her ponytail slide through my fingers. With a sigh, her head drops until her forehead meets my chest. Her arms wrap around my waist. I slide mine around her shoulders and tug her in tight. Her voice is muffled when she speaks.
“No. Yes. I don’t know.” She tips her head back, and I hate how tired she looks. “Honestly, I haven’t had the time to figure out what I’m feeling. In some ways, I feel validated, like a right has been wronged because I can clear my mom’s name. She’s not some beast who left her children behind to distract the monster while she ran away. But the cost? It’s too much. Wouldn’t it be better if she were out in the world, living her life, even if Rhys and I hated her, because at least she’d be alive?”
Lena’s whole body sags and I can feel how heavy this burden sits on her shoulders. I press a kiss to the top of her head and lead her back into the bedroom. “You can feel whatever you want. What you’re not allowed to do is feel guilty.”
“Oh, yeah? Says who.”
“Me. I’m the boss of you.”
“Maybe in the bedroom, but that’s it.”
“Hmm, what room are we in again?”
Lena chuckles and then face plants onto the bed. She needs to go back to sleep, but I can’t help teasing her.
“I like you in my sweatshirt, by the way.”
Lena shifts her head to stare at me, looking like she’s working out a math problem in her head. “That woman had my sweatshirt on tonight. I lost it a few weeks ago.”
“I have a feeling she’s been lifting clothing from people all over the island. Just curious… where did you get that sweatshirt?” I grin at her when her eyes widen, and she turns to bury her face in the bed. I know exactly where it came from.
“Nowhere special. I think I found it in a dumpster.” Her words are mumbled against the blanket.
I lie down beside her and rub my hand up and down her back. “It did look a lot rattier than I remember it.”
“Oh, God,” Lena groans, and I burst out laughing.
I press a kiss to her shoulder, the feeling of rightness surrounding me. “You can steal all of my sweatshirts. Whenever you want.”
