“I…” He takes in a deep breath. “I wanted her to tell you. I thought she would open up to you.”
She hasn’t. Not at all. And I fear that now she’ll close me out more than before.
“I’m going to take care of her.” It’s a promise that I will die to keep. Adam said that Bill had the means to help her disappear and I want him to understand that if she goes, I go. It doesn’t matter where we’re at or what we’re doing; she will have me for the rest of my life.
Bill nods, patting my shoulder. “I know, son.” Glancing down at her, he adds, “Keep me updated on how she’s doing. I’m going to make some calls and see what I can find out about Evan.” With that, he leaves me with her.
I sit silently until I hear the door open and look over my shoulder to see Devin while Sin softly closes the door. “I want her in my room.”
He nods. “Sure. Of course. It’ll be a few more hours before the sedative wears off. When she wakes up, just call me. I’ll bring her some pain meds and change her bandages if needed.”
He leaves and I pick her up.
“What do you need from me?” Sin asks, staring at an unconscious Eve in my arms.
“Get the door. Please.”
EVERETT
I open my heavy eyes to see Kashton next to me. His hand gently touches my face. I blink, feeling lightheaded.
“Hey, angel.” He speaks softly, and my eyes begin to focus. “We’re in my room back at Carnage. You’re okay, Eve. You’re safe,” he assures me.
I sit up and so does he. Pushing the covers off, I look down at my leg.
“We had to cauterize your thigh before we could move you. You were losing too much blood. Devin cleaned the area. Are you hurting? I can call him to bring you some pain meds.”
“No.” My voice cracks on the single word, and I clear my throat. “I’m fine.” I lie down, giving him my back, pulling the covers up to my neck. I’m so tired.
I feel him adjusting himself in the bed to give me some room and I decide to turn to face him. He reaches out, running his knuckles over my cheek.
“You were right,” I admit softly. “But I swear…I didn’t know Evan was my brother at the time.” Tears sting my eyes. “Not until afterward…when Bill saved me.” I feel the need to explain in his silence. “I…I don’t remember much from Dollhouse. I’m sorry…” My body starts to tremble under the covers.
“Don’t be sorry, Eve.” He sighs. “I’m so sorry, angel,for what he did to you…what you’ve been through…but I promise it changes nothing. I still love you. I still want to be with you. Do you understand that?”
I close my eyes, and he kisses my forehead. “Tell me you understand, Eve,” he commands softly.
“I understand,” I whisper, glancing up at him. “I promise I didn’t cut myself. He did it…I tried to fight him in the kitchen. He managed to get the first knife. I was able to stab him with another?—”
“I know,” he interrupts my rambling. “I know you didn’t do it. No one is accusing you of anything. You’re safe here with me.” Kashton slides to lie down next to me but keeps his distance, as if he’s afraid to get too close. I start to panic that he’s going to pull away from me. “Try and get some rest, Eve. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
I scoot closer, cuddling into his warm body, noticing he wears nothing but his boxer briefs. His muscular arm wraps around me, holding me to him, and I close my heavy eyes, allowing myself to relax into him.
FORTY-SEVEN
KASHTON
My phone vibrating on my chest has me opening my eyes to see it’s dark in the room now other than the TV. I must have fallen asleep with Eve once I got her settled in. It vibrates once more, and I pick it up to see it’s a video from an unknown number who’s started a group chat with Haidyn, Saint, Bill, and me.
Fucking Evan. Well, this tells me all I need to know—the motherfucker isn’t dead.
I take a look at Eve to see she’s passed out beside me when a soft knock comes on my bedroom door.
Getting out of bed, I grab a pair of jeans off the floor. I took my bloody clothes off once I got her up to my room. I open the door, running a hand through my hair to see Haidyn and Saint already in the hallway. “We’re going to watch it in the basement.”
“Give me a second.” I close the door and go back over to the bed and kiss her cheek. When she doesn’t show any signs of waking, I’m sure she’ll remain asleep. I don’t want her to wake up and be scared that I’m not here.
Exiting the room, we silently ride the elevator down to the basement and push through the plastic strip curtains. Saint connects his phone to the TV that hangs on the wall in the corner.
