Phoenix helped me upstairs as Hudson did damage control with our family.
Nix helped me undress in the bathroom, carefully scanning my body for any bruises or marks. There wasn’t anything sexual in it; he was looking after me, and it felt so good after what had happened.
He must still care about you?I hated the fact that I still felt so insecure.
“Do you mind if I join you? Share the water?” He added the second part quickly, so I didn’t think he wasaftersomething.
I felt a twinge of disappointment that he was asking my permission. It almost felt like we’d gone back a few steps. I nodded.
We showered together, and it was a case of going through the motions. Making sure the dirt and grit was rinsed off our bodies. Nix helped me wash my hair, and I started to feel special again; the trauma of what had happened was wearing off.
Phoenix then took me by the hand and led me to his bedroom.
“Do you want to rest? You can sleep in my bed.”
I snuggled in against the lapels of my fluffy pink robe. It was the most girly thing I owned. Phoenix was wearing a black one that I sometimes saw Hudson in.
And I lost it, rushing into his arms as his door closed.
“Hey, it’s fine. You’re safe.”
“I know, I’m just so sorry for putting you in danger. I never thought you’d come after me like that.”
Pulling back, he held me at arm's length, his fingers were ever so gentle on my skin.
“Why did you run from me?”
“I didn’t. I just needed to clear my head,” I said miserably. “I only went to the house to say goodbye. I knew they were due to tear it down, but I didn’t realise it would be so soon. And why burn it?”
“They didn’t burn it. At least, they didn’t intend to. The demolition people hit a gas main.”
A gas main. Shit, yes. I remembered hearing a loud bang when I’d been half asleep.
Looking up at Nix, I explained. “That was the place I used to keep all the stuff I stole, Nix. And now it’s all gone, destroyed. So, I can’t give anything back.”
“You couldn’t anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said it started years ago. How would you remember who you took each item from?”
His point was valid, plus most people would have moved away. “I suppose I wouldn’t be able to.”
“So, I can’t ever make it right, Nix. I’m stuck with my sick secret forever.”
“It isn’t a sick secret, Harper. Considering what you’ve gone through in your life, you’re bound to have some baggage.”
And I lost it, again.
My voice was muffled against his skin. “I’m so sorry, Phoenix. I should have said something sooner, but instead I took the easy way out and tried to ignore it. We were in such a good place, and I didn’t want to ruin it.”
He ran his hand over my hair, “Shh, baby girl.”
I pulled back and looked up at him, my eyes swimming. “And now I have.”
He frowned and touched my face with his thumbs. “What the hell are you talking about, you’ve haven’t spoiled a damn thing.”
My eyes scanned his features; he looked so much better now that the soot was washed away. “But the picture I took, the purse, and everything else?”
