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I couldn’t resist the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. “Nylah does.”
“Good.” She blinked and I could tell that she was upset but she was dealing with it.
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t have to say the words, but she deserved to hear them. “Didn’t think I’d find anyone that makes me feel like she does. Nylah is special.”
Snooki squeezed my arm and then her hand dropped away. “If anyone deserves a little happiness, it’s you, Rael.” She lifted up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on my cheek. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
She walked away as I reached for the doorknob and it turned, entering the room silently. I wasn’t sure if Trixie was resting. Patriot and Nylah were both sitting on the bed, facing her as she slept. They didn’t hear me or notice.
“You’re worried about her,” Patriot observed.
“I know enough about trauma to understand that tough days are ahead. I just want to be there for her. I don’t want Mimi alone.”
“She won’t be,” he assured her. “I’m here too.”
“Why? It’s not that I don’t appreciate your help, but you don’t know her like I do. You just met. Why do you care what happens to a girl that fell in with the wrong crowd?”
He sighed. “I’ve been through my share of trauma and heartbreak. Maybe I see a little of myself in her. Don’t know and it doesn’t matter. Had a lot of therapy to get over my own shit. Lost a lot of guys overseas and that hit hard. I know what it means to lose who you are and how hard it is to come back from the edge. If anyone can help her, I think I can.”
Nylah reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “You didn’t have to tell me all that but I’m glad you did. Thanks, Patriot. I think she’s gained a good friend.”
“I hope so.” He smiled but then it vanished. “She’s starting to go through withdrawals. It’s probably more than just the shit they pumped into her. Addiction is a dark road. She’s gonna need both of us.”
“She is,” Nylah agreed. “We’re all she’s got.”
“It’ll be enough.”
“I hope you’re right.” She sighed. “I suppose I’ll take her home soon. I’ve got a spare room she can stay in.”
Patriot stiffened. “Not until she’s better.”
“We’ll let her decide,” Nylah answered softly.
His gaze was entirely focused on Trixie. When she whimpered in her sleep, he immediately reached for her hand and held it, rubbing circles into the soft flesh of her skin. I watched my brother in astonishment. After his brutality with Voltoy, it was such a contradiction to see his compassion and tenderness. It proved that while we were all capable of violence, none of us were truly monsters. Just men who could be bloodthirsty beasts in the moment.
Ironic, considering we were all Reapers.
They were quiet for a minute and I saw my chance to whisk Nylah away.
“Hey, kitten.”
Nylah turned my way as her blue eyes lit up. I could be happy every single day of the rest of my cursed life if I got to see the way she looked when I walked into the room. My heart did a funny little stutter and I grinned like a fool, holding out my hand.
She jumped up and ran into my arms as I held her close, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of her head. “Wanna go for a walk?”
“Sure.”
“Go on,” Patriot urged. “I’m
not leaving.”
I gripped Nylah’s hand and pulled her from the room, practically dragging her down the hall. She giggled as I swung her up and around my back and she clung to my shoulders as I bounded toward the outdoors. When we made our way through the common room, all the conversation in the area silenced. Everyone in the vicinity stopped what they were doing, shocked to see a playful side I’d never showed before now. In fact, I hadn’t felt like this since Willow died. The thought was sobering but I wouldn’t let it ruin this moment.
“They’re all staring,” she whispered in my ear.
“That’s because they haven’t seen me like this before,” I explained.
