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My eyes squeeze shut in deliberation before resigning to a subtle shake of my head. “Some things are better left in the past.”
She continues to stare at it, her fingers twitching when she releases me to reach forward. My hand shoots up, carefully encircling her wrist to prevent her from advancing any further.
Her eyes snap to mine, lashing fluttering as though breaking free from a dream. “Did you love her?”
I watch the spark of hope ignite within her at the possibility I’ll say no. That there isn’t a woman walking around in the world who owns my heart. For a moment, I consider saying as much to appease her. It would certainly make things less complicated for everyone involved. Yet, when I focus on the words, fighting to force the lie from my mouth, the silence only stretches on between us.
“Come on, demon.” I stroke her hair, tucking several pieces back behind her ear. “I’ll DoorDash some of those tacos you like so much.”
She blinks up at me, the light dimming in her eyes as she does, though forces a smile. “That’s okay. I think I’d rather just take a nap.”
Taking hold of her face, I tip her head back toward the light to examine her for signs of a concussion.
“Any headache, blurry vision, sensitivity to light?”
She shakes her head.
“What about confusion? You know what day it is, and where you are?”
“Sure. Just another Thursday at some asshole’s house.” She winks with her good eye, and I release her with a smile. Hopping down from the counter, she pushes up to her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to my cheek. As she moves past me, my fingers interlace with hers, halting her retreat.
“You’re not going back there.”
“No, I’m not,” she assures me, her hand offering mine a light squeeze. “I’ll figure out the logistics of it all tomorrow, but Luc and I are done.”
My heart skips what feels like are several beats before pounding loudly in my chest.
“Anything you need, demon. Me, the boys, J… we’re here for you.”
“Please don’t tell Jonsie.” Daph worries her lip. “The second she finds out, it’s going to take the grace of God to keep her from killing him, and considering she’s dating his best friend, that’s only gonna cause problems in her relationship. She deserves a chance at being happy, Nick. Don’t rob her of that.”
It’s possibly the only argument she could have ever presented that would have me obliging her request. Jones would undoubtedly sabotage her relationship in defense of her best friend. Which is why I find myself issuing a hesitant nod, reluctantly agreeing to her request.
“Take my bed.” I gesture toward the other room with my chin. “I’ll check on you in a little bit.”
“Thank you.” She smiles warmly before turning to exit the room.
My eyes follow her, and when I enter the bedroom several minutes later to find her drifting off to sleep in my bed, something clicks into place. My chest swells at the sight, a wave of serenity washing over me, as I wonder what it would be like to end every day feeling so at peace.
CHAPTER 23
THEN
DAPHNE – Age 19
Pain.
Small pockets of nothingness blanketed in black, interspersed with an excruciating pain unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
It’s the only two sensations I’ve been subjected to for however long I’ve been lying here.
Well… that, and fear.
Because every so often, the pain recedes just enough for a memory to flash to the forefront of my brain, and I’m reminded that my best friend’s been taken hostage by one of the people we trusted most in this world.
Tommy.
Tommy lost his shit when he overheard the truth about Jonsie and Mav. Driven by some crazed obsession, he took her. He took her, and I couldn’t stop him.
