There was a much greater chance that I would have died. “He wanted to try and save me,” I explained, pushing around my potatoes. “He was going to shoot us out of there that day, but I told him no.”
Everett’s brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because if he did that, there’s a chance we’d both be dead, but if I tried something, if I ran or shot someone, they wouldn’t have killed me.”
He straightened. “How do you know that?”
I searched his eyes. Azrael kept the secret for a reason, but this was Everett. I shouldn’t be keeping anything from him. I didn’t want to. We didn’t have to go back to normal, we could be new. Evolve together, he had said. “Mr. Alascer wanted me in good condition,” I explained, watching as something feral flashed through his eyes. “They weren’t allowed to leave anymore scars.”
Something dark and chilling flashed through his eyes. “Alascer?” he asked, his voice hardening. “That’s what his name was? Alascer?”
I nodded, feeling the tension grow in my own chest. “You know him?”
“I recognize the name,” he stated coldly as he put his utensils down. “Eat your food, I have to make a phone call.”
With that, he headed for his room, shutting the door behind him with a finality.
Lucy looked from the door to me, her head cocked to one side. He did know him. They had history, and while I was curious to know why, I still understood the rules. I didn’t need to know everything. I suppose that wouldn’t change. Which was fine. I couldn’t expect him to change a lifetime of rules because of something I went through, especially if it meant he was trying to protect me.
So, I gave some of my food to both Lucy and Merlin, and I sat back, watching television until Everett came back out. We finished our meal together and retired to the couch together. Not cuddling, but not sitting so far apart anymore.
I could do this. I could get used to his touch again. I could heal.
“We evolve together,”he had said.
Together. Always.
~~~
November 13th, 2022
“Hey, um…I want to try something, but I need your help.”
“Already intrigued,” Evelyn hummed on the other end of the phone. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
My cheeks were bright red as I stared at the front door from where I sat on the end of Everett’s bed, Lucy sitting in the doorway, guarding for a man she absolutely adored. “It’s…” I smoothed out the blankets, remembering the last time I had sat on this bed just days ago. “Personal.”
I had been trying these last four days. Pushing myself to allow him to touch me more. A brush of the hand, sitting a little closer on the couch. We were able to almost cuddle now. My hand on his thigh, his arm around the back of the couch, so close, I could feel the heat of him seeping into my clothes.
I was making good progress. We were talking, communicating, trying to work through it together. I evenstayed up at night, staring at the ceiling, willing myself to join him in the bedroom, only to end up lying there until morning, sleep deprived.
I could do this.
It was a big step, but if I could manage him fingering me, I could manage this too.
“Oh?” There was a shuffling in the background. “He gone?”
“He was coming to meet you, but he had something he had to do first.”
She was quiet. “What time did he leave?”
“About an hour ago.”
“Then we might have about ten minutes to talk before he shows up. Tell me,” she pushed gently. “I will support whatever it is.”
I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. “You guys all went through the same program as Rae,” I said, reaching for the charm on my collar. “Did that require forcing yourself to get used to being drugged?”
Evelyn gaped audibly. “Ms. Kingsmen, do you want todrugEverett?”
