Page 107 of Ghost Hunted

She chews on her lower lip. “Well… yes. But I didn’t think you really would.” Her face takes on a pink flush, and a tear spills out of her eye. “Please don’t leave me, Logan. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to go. I know I should want it… but I don’t. Please… let me say what I need to say, and please… do what you mean to do anyway.”

I sit down on the bed, cradling her, trying to be mindful of the brace and the wires. She buries her face in my chest.

“I’ll stay, then, Lia. Of course I will. I’m sorry. Everything is my fault.”

I’m back to blaming myself, but I realize the truth now. Everything is my fault. Everything has always been my fault.

I let my head fall against her shoulder, running my fingers up and down her back. “I’m sorry, baby,” I murmur again. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want you to lock me in the cage anymore,” she whispers.

“I’ll… try very hard not to.” I tilt her head back, gazing into her sparkling green eyes. “No, that’s not enough. I give you my word, I won’t. I’m listening now. I wasn’t before, but I am now. I’ll do anything you want, Lia. Just as long as I know you don’t really want me to leave.”

“You’ll do anything I want?” she echoes, looking at me in surprise.

“Well, yes... within reason.”

“Will you let me do anything I want?”

I hesitate. “That depends, baby. What do you want?”

She’s back to chewing on her lower lip as she looks around the room. I can tell she’d like to test her newfound freedom, but can’t think of a single thing to do.

“You like the idea of freedom a lot more than the reality of it, don’t you, ghost girl?” I murmur, stroking the side of her face.

“No. No, that’s not true.” She averts her eyes, the way she does when she’s lying. “I’m just... not used to it.”

“Uh huh. Well, go on. Do something. I’ll let you.”

“Okay. Fine.”

She sits up with difficulty, and I have to resist the urge to reach over and help her. I watch her stand slowly, vacillating on her legs.

“Careful, Lia,” I warn her.

“I’m just... going to get that glass of water over there.”

I watch her take a few steps, as far from the bed as the IV drip will let her, then return, wearing a triumphant grin on her face.

“The water.”

“Hmm?”

“You forgot the water.”

“Oh.” She makes a wry face. “I’ll go back and get it.” Then she sits back down heavily. “Actually... can you?”

Trying very hard to keep a straight face, I grab the water from the table at the foot of her bed and bring it to her lips.

“How’d you like that little taste of freedom?”

“Asshole,” she mutters, gulping down the water, and the old nickname makes me breathe easier.

“Don’t you think you’re overdoing it with the captivity accusations?” I tease her gently. “It’s not like I don’t allow you to walk. I promise to let you fetch your own water any time you like.”

“Asshole,” she insists.

“Lia.” I bend down abruptly, pressing my lips to hers. “Baby. You know I’d do anything for you. It hurts me to see you hurt. I love you, Lia. I do. More than I’ve ever loved anyone in my whole life. You’re everything to me. Every single part of me. And whatever you want... I will do my very best to give you.”