Everything stops. My heart pounds in my chest and my knees feel weak. If I were standing, I’d fall over. Hayes was used—abused in that home?
At my wide eyes, Hayes shakes his head. “Yeah. It’s not pretty.”
“But Senior?—”
“Didn’t care.” He shrugs and acts as if it’s nothing. It’s in the past and Hayes has spent a majority of his time ignoring the pains of his childhood. “When I was born, and old enough, he put me to work. I never saw my mother. Only on the night she died.”
“How?”
He smiles ruefully. “Overdose. A better end than what Senior planned for her.” My stomach knots and I try not to throw up. “I can tell you about the times men came into my room, Collins, some with presents and some without. But I’d rather not.”
I nod in understanding. It’s terrible and raw—no one should have endured that kind of pain. Least of all Hayes—kind, annoying and cocky butgood, Hayes. I don’t push.
Instead, I tighten my hold on his hand and kiss his knuckles. “Thank you for sharing with me.”
He watches with rapt awe. Not at the kiss or the words, but at the meaning.Acceptance. I accept him, his past, this burden he carries. And something ugly slithers in my gut.
I want to pluck every fingernail, toenail, hair out of Senior’s head and any man who touched Hayes, then burn their body in a vat of acid. Just for daring to take from someone innocent—just for daring to touchhim.
“This is why,” he says, licking his lips, voice rough, “I won’t let Roman have you. I will never let him have you.”
Smiling softly, I place my chin in his hand. “I know.” And I do. Hayes would never let anyone endure what he did.
It’s why he volunteered to guard me. Why he agreed to play along with my stupid plan. He didn’t need to be second—he did it for me.
My chest warms and I lap up the adoration filling my veins. Everything he’s done has always been for me.
“Does Maeve know?”
Hayes nods, jaws tight. “She does. But she knows out of necessity. You know, because I trust you.” My heart can’t get any fuller. It might explode.
I’m not bitter about their bond—not any longer. This world is dark and dangerous; they needed each other to survive. He had someone in his corner helping him, and I’m thankful for that.
Standing, I place my hands on his shoulders. “I’m glad you had her to share this with. Everyone should have someone they depend on.”
“And now, if I want it to be you?”
I wave his mother’s ring in his face. “Looks like I’m already there.”
Quickly, he pulls me tight to his chest, his face burying into my midsection. Inhaling, he breathes in my scent, shoulders relaxing, tension evaporating.
“I’ll always protect you, Collins,” he vows. “From Roman. From everything. I’ll never let them hurt you.”
Running my hand through his hair, I sniffle. “I’ll protect you too, Hayes. No one will hurt you like that again.”
It’s a small promise, but I mean it. Hayes knows me as the small, studious medical student who can’t use a gun. That doesn’t mean I’m innocent in this life either. Pops made sure of it.
Carefully, he pulls me on to the bed, tucking me against his side.
His lips brush my ear as we settle into the warmth of our combined body heat and the soft duvet underneath. “Sleep, Collins. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Yawning, I shake my head. “I’m not tired.” I’m exhausted, but I want to spend more time with him. Feel him. He shared something with me that few know and I want to latch on to him—make him feel safe.
“Rest, baby. You’ve had a rough day. I’ll fight the monsters while you sleep.”
23
HAYES
