“And we’ll stop him,” Landon said firmly.
I released a breath. “Thanks.”
“Georgie sent a message via Nash,” Landon added. “She said if you need a woman’s touch with Lark, just call.”
I liked Nash’s woman even more.
“And to remind you that the Isis and Osiris dress rehearsal is tomorrow and you’ve got to be there.”
Shit. The show was the last thing on my mind.
“Might be good distraction for your woman,” Cole suggested.
“Go to her,” Landon said. “We’ll let ourselves out.”
After they’d left, I watched Lark through the glass. She looked so small and fragile, even though I knew she was strong. I wondered again what she was drawing. I’d caught a glimpse of colors on the screen earlier, but she’d refused to show me.
I opened the slider and gritted my teeth against the cold wind. Lark didn’t look up. Her hand was moving furiously.
I knelt beside her.
Her face was pale and blank. How many times had she sat alone like this, dealing with shit?
“Talk to me.”
She didn’t look up, her hand still moving.
“I’m here, Lark. You’re not alone.”
Her hand paused.
“Whatever you need, little bird, tell me. I’ll get it for you. I’ll give it to you.”
A shudder ran through her.
Then she turned off the iPad and set it aside. I was still insanely curious to know what she was doing on it, but that was for another time.
“Did Ed kill my parents?” Her voice was a shaky whisper.
I reached for her hand. “I don’t think so, baby. He started later. But I think it was his first run-in with his partner. How they first met.”
“This… He killed them. And Ed knew that and still got involved with him. Ed took me in and made me think he cared. Why?Why?” Her voice rose.
I moved, picking her up, blanket and all. I sat, with Lark on my lap, and held her tight. She was stiff.
“I’ve got you. Just hold on to me.”
She made a low sound filled with pain. She burrowed into me and her nails dug into the skin of my arms. I didn’t care. I wrapped myself around her and wished I could take away her pain.
“Everything I had has been ripped away from me. My parents, my childhood, a normal life. I thought I had Ed, but that was a lie.”
“Not everything is gone,” I said. “I’m here. You’ve got me.”
Brown eyes met mine.
“I’m here, Lark.”
She pressed her forehead to mine, her body vibrating with all that pain and anger.
