Her body vibrates even through the layers. “Stop it.”
“You need this,” I draw her against me until her body settles. “We did this, Sienna. Let me help put it right. And then you can beat my ass when you’re back up and running.”
She lets out a half sob. “I’m going to.”
I prop my head up on my hands, ready for a night of watching over her. “I’m counting on it, shortcake.”
24
SIENNA
When I wake, the curtains can’t stop the sunshine from filling the room, muted and golden. I blink my eyes open lazily.
I slept. All night.
Jax’s arm is a warm weight around me, and I can feel fingers stroking through my hair, gently running lines down my scalp.
My eyes nearly drift closed again. The sharp pain that I’ve been battling for the last few days feels slightly more muted today than yesterday, although it’s still there, churning at my insides. Maybe Jess was on to something.
I should push Jax away, stop him from taking advantage when he thinks I’m asleep, but I’m enjoying the contact too much to deprive myself of it just yet. Something must give me away though, because Jax’s fingers falter, before they withdraw completely.
“Shortcake,” he murmurs. “How’d you sleep?”
“Better.” Shifting away from him, I sit up. “Thanks. You can go now.”
The words hurt, but I need to be clear on exactly what this is. They owe me this, and I don’t owe them a damn single thing, except maybe a pinch of the same pain that I’ve felt these last few weeks.
I can feel Jax’s flinch, but he shifts anyway. “Of course. Do you need anything before I leave? Or today? Is there anything I can do?”
Shaking my head, I turn away from those violet eyes, his mussed hair and his kicked-pup expression.
“I think this helped,” I admit. I don’t want to admit just how much better I feel after a single night. Soul Bonds are really,reallyweird. “Can Logan come tonight?”
“I’ll tell him.” His hand ghosts over my hair, the softest touch before he moves over to slide his boots on. “I’m here if you need me, shortcake. I’m not going anywhere.”
I nod, but that’s as much as I’m willing to give, and I don’t look up until I hear his footsteps moving away down the hall.
25
TRISTAN
I’m sitting in Jax’s place outside when he wanders through the door. Emmett gave us descriptions of the goons who looked for Sienna when she left Navarre. I’m not leaving this place unattended unless we’re with her.
He looks tired, but his expression is lighter than I’ve seen it in days as he comes to a stop in front of me.
I shade my eyes, glancing up. “How’d it go?”
To my surprise, he takes a seat on the ground next to me, bringing up his knees and leaning his arms on them. “She slept all night.”
“Good.” That’s good. If the deep circles under her eyes are any indication, she hasn’t been getting much sleep. Looking over at him, I catch the expression on his face before he can wipe it away. “What?”
Jax spreads his hands out helplessly. “Her room is empty, Tristan. She doesn’t have anything. And she can’t sleep without a light on. Now, I mean.”
His voice is dark, and a lump appears in my throat. “Because of us, you mean.”
“We’ve got a hell of a lot of making up to do, Tris.” Jax sighs. “I don’t know if a lifetime is going to be enough.”
“As long as it takes,” I answer firmly. “Nothing else matters, Jax. Not anymore.”
