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I shook my head. “You need your rest.”
“I’ll rest better with you here.” He pouted.
“I’ve gotta make sure the house is secure,” I said, lying through my teeth. “I’ll come back once I’m done.”
He groaned and stretched his legs. “Fine, you’re no fun.”
“Hush you, just lay there like a good boy and go to sleep,” I said, tucking the blanket in around his feet.
I straightened and he slipped his arm around my hip, pulling me down beside him. “Not without a goodnight kiss.”
I pushed gently on his shoulders and guided him back down onto the pillow. “I said, lay down. You need sleep.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I pulled my sleeves down over my hands. “What do you mean?”
“You know.”
“No, actually I don’t. I’m fine. Areyouokay?”
“This is Viktor’s house. I’m not an idiot,” he said, running his hand up my arm. “You’ve gotta be… it’s gotta be hard for you.”
I smiled down at him. “I’m fine, Jack. You don’t have to worry about me. It’s just a house.”
“Bex—”
“No, stop. I’m fine. Just relax and get some sleep.” I dropped a kiss on his forehead. “As long as you’re okay, I’m good.”
He stifled a yawn behind his fist. “Where are you going?”
“I told you.” I chuckled as I walked to the bedroom door. “I’ve gotta make sure the house is secure and everyone’s settled.”
“Okay.”
“Just rest,” I said, watching him shift under the blanket. He closed his eyes and he looked so peaceful. I couldn’t help myself. “Jack?”
He exhaled a long breath. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”
He smiled. “I love you, too.”
I backed out of the room, closing the door as quietly as I could. I had to deal with the chaotic tornado spinning through my mind. Lying in bed wouldn’t help me with that. I needed space, and time to breathe.
Leaning against the wall opposite the door, I ran my fingers through my hair. My shoulders throbbed with tension. From the moment we entered the house, I’d tried not to think about the memories surrounding us, but standing still, the darkness started to creep inside—
“This house is like Manderley crossed with Hogwarts and the Tardis. I swear,” Shado said, appearing at the end of the hall.
I jumped, smacking my arm against the painting hanging on the wall behind me. I caught it and held it up as a shield. “You scared the bejesus out of me.”
“And you were going to fight me off with the portrait of an old dead dude?” She tilted her head to the side. “Is that Grandpa Archer?”
My eyebrows drew together. “What?”
“The guy in the picture you’re holding.” She pointed to my chest and I flipped the frame over.
She was right. It was an old dead dude. “I think that’s Grandpa Archer’s dad, Warren Devereaux.”
