“Connor, I need to talk this through. You know you’ve wondered if it could happen. I’ve wondered. Hell, everyone on this island has wondered. So I’m asking you honestly. Do you think I’ll die from grief?”
He licked his lips. “You want the truth?”
She nodded.
“Okay. I think right after Lloyd was killed you were headed down a dark road. I think, if you’d continued down that road, you could have died.”
It was a strange relief to hear him admit the words everyone else had been afraid to voice.
“I was scared for you, Elaine, really scared. When you told me you wanted to go to Alaska, it took everything in me not to follow you. The only reason I didn’t was because I was worried any pressure from me might push you over the edge. I had to trust you knew your own heart.” He smiled. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t think you’re headed in that direction anymore. I still see shadows in your face. I still hear sadness in your voice, but I think the time away did you good.”
Had it? It didn’t always feel that way. It wasn’t all that long ago she’d stood at a kitchen counter, holding a knife, intent on slicing through her veins. Was she stronger than that woman? She didn’t know. “I’m scared, Connor. And now this thing with my kids has me more afraid than ever.”
“We’re going to get them medical attention. First thing tomorrow, we’ll talk to the doc.”
“That’s fine, but I need to look beyond tomorrow. As their mom, I need to know they’ll have a home if something happens to me.”
“Elaine…”
“No, please. I know you’ve made plans to become a cop. I would never want to stop you from fulfilling your dream, but I was hoping you might look after Layla and Andy if I can’t. They adore you.”
He hung his head in his hands. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
“Humor me.”
“I’m not saying ‘no,’ butifsomething ever happened, wouldn’t you rather have them go to your family? I know Lloyd’s people are mostly all out west, but you have lots of family right here in Ontario. What about them?”
“I miss my mom and dad, I do, but none of my family members are shifters, Connor, and Lloyd was never close to his relatives. When he mated with a human, they gave him grief. He distanced himself from them and so have I. Our kids have no bond with them. They love you, and you understand who they are.Whatthey are.”
“I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, and I know I’ve been out of touch lately, but seeing them with you again is proof of your connection. Would you at least consider it?”
His lips thinned. “There’s nothing to consider. No matter what career I choose, I will always make room in my life for Andy and Layla. Those kids are my priority and so are you.”
“I realize you might want to move to Toronto, and I was sort of counting on the fact you’d always be here on Gemini Island…”
“We don’t need to figure out the logistics right now. Whatever happens, I will find a way to take care of them. You have my word.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll fix this, Elaine, I promise.”
“What if there’s something wrong with them? What if they can’t be fixed?” Tears threatened, stinging behind her eyes. She blinked them into oblivion. “What if I can’t be fixed?”
He held out his arms. “Come here.”
As she fell into his embrace, her emotions crowded her, rending her limb from limb. It helped knowing he would always look out for her babies, but it didn’t diminish her fear. Pain shook her frame as she tried to catch her breath, but Connor held her through each shudder. He kissed her temple and stroked her back until she began to feel more human again.
“Listen to me. You’re not broken, not any of you. Do you hear me? You don’t need fixing. You just need time.”
“Are you sure?”
“I swear it, and I’m sure the doc will say the same thing. But we have to keep talking, okay? It’s how we get past this.”
She swallowed the burlap lump in her throat and managed a grin. “How did you get so smart?”
“It’s inherited.” He pretended to buff his fingernails. “Don’t feel bad. I’m also extremely handsome.” He winked and gave her one of his famous lady-killer smiles, the one she’d seen decimate many a woman.
