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“I loved him very much.”
“Loved?” He frowns.
“He’s not with us anymore,” I admit, heart clenching.
“The dark got him?” he asks in fear.
“In a way,” I answer truthfully.
“The dark got my daddy too. I don’t like the dark. Mom always said it infected him and made him bad. When it was dark, we used to hide from him,” he says with tears in his eyes. “I don’t like the dark now. I want to protect Mom from it.”
“I’m sure you do, but there’s nothing to be scared of now. Astro and your family made sure of that, and I’m certain your mom would say the same. You’re safe, I promise.” I take his hand as he wipes his face.
“That’s what she says,” he replies. “Sing to me instead?”
“Of course.” Keeping one hand in his and the other on the book, I close my eyes and the lyrics that live in my heart and memories flow out, and when I finish, I realize I’m crying.
He leans up, wipes my face, and kisses my head. “You shouldn’t be scared of the dark anymore either.” He snuggles back into bed and closes his eyes.
“I’ll try,” I murmur and stand, carefully tucking him in before shutting the door behind me.
I press my back to it and breathe in slowly.
I feel pain in my heart, but also hope.
THIRTY-NINE
“She’s so wonderful,” my mom gushes, fixing my hair as I roll my eyes. “So kind, not to mention pretty.”
“She’s a keeper.” My dad, a man of few words, nods.
“That she is and I plan on it.” I grin, looking at the others before lowering my voice. “Which reminds me, while I’m here, can I have the ring?”
My mom’s eyes widen before she squeals and slaps her hands over her mouth. “I’m just so happy,” Gloria whispers.
My dad pats me on the shoulder. “Good man.”
Chuckling, I ignore the others’ looks, knowing I’m being very forward, but it’s how I feel. I know she’s the one.
“Let me go check on them.” I chuckle as I stand.
I slowly make my way upstairs, only to freeze in the hallway to listen to my girl and my nephew’s conversation. My heart aches at his admission that he is still afraid of the dark. His father was a piece of shit, but he never has to worry about him again. We made sure of that. As soon as my dad called me after they turned up in the pouring rain with black eyes, the guys and I came and hunted the fucker down, but it’s Reign’s answer that has my heart pounding.
Realization sets in as I listen to her.
I knew her brother died, but from the way she’s speaking, it’s clear Reign was abused when she was younger.
It explains so much, but I walk away quietly, not wanting her to know I was spying on her. She will tell us when she’s ready and not a moment before, but her tattoo makes so much more sense now, and I have someone I need to kill for my girl.
* * *
Since it was so late when Reign came back down, Mom and Dad helped us with the bags and we made up beds in the guesthouse. Mom fusses over it, even though it’s immaculate, and when they leave, we all collapse on the mattress on the floor in Reign’s room. Raff explained it’s for her safety, but it’s actually so we can be close to her. She’s curled up on her bed and her breathing is even, but I don’t think she’s asleep.
Turning over, I eye the others. Dal is under the window, Raff is near the door, and Cil is to the left of me. We made a barrier between her and the outside world to make her feel safe, but when she sighs, I get to my knees. “Want company, baby?”
“Please,” she replies, her voice small.
I throw myself on the bed, and she bounces with a giggle before I tug her into my arms. A moment later, Cillian settles in on her other side. Dal sits up on the window ledge, watching us, as Raff sighs from the floor.
