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“Baby, wake up. Lily.”
“No.” My arms flew out, finally free from the restraint. Blindly, I fought, throwing myself to the side.
“Lilian.” The tone registered and I felt myself still. Light broke through and I blinked past the dimness.
Zain was sitting on the side of the bed, worry filling his face as he stared at me. His hands reached out and I didn’t hesitate to throw myself into them. Sobs left me and the events from the café had me breaking down even more.
“Shh, baby girl. I’m back now.”
“Something is wrong with me. I can’t stop them no matter how hard I try.” My broken voice only made my anxiety worse. Something deep within was shattered and I wasn’t sure I’d ever get myself together this time. “I’m so scared. Don’t leave me tonight. Please? I can’t do this.”
One minute, I was holding on to Zain. The next, he was pulling me into his lap. The cradling was a relief…until I saw my brother standing at the door. My head lifted and I wiped away the tears, unsure of how I should act. Who the fuck was I that I was looking for everyone else’s direction but my own? My therapist, my brother, my Master. Where was Lily? Who was Lily?
Slade stepped back, giving me a look I couldn’t comprehend, only to turn and walk away. I curled into Zain’s chest, trying not to think too much about anything but feeling safe.
“I missed you.” His kiss to my forehead only put me more at ease.
“I missed you, too.”
He pulled back to look down at me. “What happened when I was gone? I heard you hurt your hand.”
My hand flexed and I pulled it closer toward me. “I was suddenly there again, on my way to your father’s. I could hear the men honking and speaking in a language I couldn’t understand. It was real. I could have sworn I was there.”
A sigh left him and he brought me in closer.
“Why is this happening? Why now?” I said, trying to stop the tears. I was over being weak. Each episode that brought me down was making me internally worse.
“I don’t know. Probably because it’s almost happening all over again. Maybe because I’m back in the picture. My family. I don’t know,” he repeated, under his breath. “We’re going to get you better though, I promise.”
Zain placed me on the bed, covering me up. As he moved in beside me, on top of the covers, we held on to each other. I got lost in my thoughts, barely noticing that the sun was already starting to rise.
“I wanted to go back to work today. I thought it would help.”
“After what you just woke from?”
The nightmare had been one of many I’d always had. It was a repeat and although I wasn’t too afraid of it after I woke, during was a different story.
“This is routine, believe it or not. At least, to an extent. I’ll be fine.”
My body was pulled deeper into his and I smiled as he snuggled against me. “Maybe you’re right. Going back might help. Then again, it might make it worse.”
“I’m going to leave early. I see my therapist at one. After she heard of my episode, she wanted to see me at my earliest convenience. It’ll have to do until I find another I like better.”
“Yes, I want you to go. I’ll get the address from your brother and meet you there. I can wait in the lobby until you’re finished.”
My head drew back. “You’d do that? Just come to wait outside?”
“Of course.” His eyebrows drew in. “Why wouldn’t I? I told you I was going to take care of you. Even if I can’t be in the room, I can be there to support you when you’re finished.”
Warmth rushed through my chest and I reached up, sliding my palm over his rough cheek. “Thank you. You don’t know much that means to me.”
“That’s what people do when they love each other. And I love you.” His lips brushed against mine and it was amazing how fast I could feel myself bounce back. His presence made me stronger. Made me believe that I could overcome anything.
“How did the trip go? Did you…” I trailed off, waiting for the good news. If he was here and well, that meant something. The way his features hardened had me lifting my head. “What happened?”
“Blake is what happened,” he said, deeply. “But Adul is taken care of and so are the guards that were in that house. Saul wasn’t there.” He paused. “They did manage to get three of the girls out, though.”
“Oh, thank God.” A sigh of relief left me, but my head shook, thinking about Saul. Zain’s hand reached up, rubbing the length of mine. “No worrying, slave, he’s not going to hurt you. You’re well protected. We’ll just be sure to keep an open eye out. You trust me?”
