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He stepped back, pinching my chin between his thumb and forefinger. "You have to trust someone at some point, Nissa."
"Everyone I trust either leaves me or is dead. So that does not bode well for you."
"You let me worry about myself. In the meantime, I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, okay? When you wake up in the morning, we'll come up with a plan. And that plan will focus on keeping you safe."
I wanted to believe him. But the truth of it was, I could see it was all a mirage. There was no security for me tomorrow or any day after that. There would be no safety for me, ever, not as long as my father was free.
Nissa
I woke up with a firm arm like a steel band around my middle.
When I gently tried to roll out of the way, the arm just tightened.
I blinked rapidly, trying to get my bearings. Not in my room, not in my bed, but I was clothed. So thank God for small favors.
As consciousness filtered in, I remembered what had happened. The break-in, the trashing of my flat, how I ended up here in a loft that Westin brought us to after the police station.
Westin.
Back in my life where I once swore he never would be again.
Being in his arms last night and falling asleep together was the best rest I'd gotten in a long time. His scent washed over me, and the light sound of his breathing lulled me into a place of comfort I didn't know could exist as an adult.
When I rolled over, I found his blue eyes blinking back at me.
"You're finally awake?" he asked.
"You're not asleep either."
"Well, every time I tried to leave and go to sleep on the couch, you held on to my arm pretty tight."
"I did not," I muttered.
"I'm the sole witness. Who wouldn’t believe me?"
"You were the one holding onto me just now."
He shrugged. "You were sleeping a bit fitfully. Are you okay?"
I nodded. "I just… This is all a mess."
"I know. But you're okay. I have you and you're not alone."
"What time is it?" I asked.
"About four a.m."
I laughed. "You're so sure without looking at the clock?"
"I can tell."
I lifted my head to peer out the window. "It's still pitch-black outside."
"No, not quite pitch-black. Do you want to pinky-swear on it?"
I laughed. "Oh, we're making a bet?"
"Yes, we're making a bet. What do I get if I win?"
