“Are you in some sort of trouble, Harley?”
She shakes her head, sending blonde hair flying all over the place.
I’m not convinced.“You can be upfront with me.”
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
I shoot her a dubious gaze.
She offers a tight smile.
Despite the way her explanation makes unease flare in my gut, I let it go. “Okay.”
She bolts out of the living area and runs up the stairs.
I rest my back against the couch and let my head fall backward.
I inhale and let out a long breath.
She’s lying to me.
Chapter 23
Don’t leave me
Kazimir
“Don’t hurt me.”
I jerk awake.
Harley.
“Please, don’t hurt me.”
I push the blanket off my body and reach her bed in one long stride.
“Don’t say that,” Harley says. “I’m not like them. I told you, I’m not like them.”
She’s thrashing against the bed, arms flailing under the covers.
I sit on the bed.
Just like every night since she moved in, a nightmare disrupts her sleep.
“Harley.” With a gentle hand, I shake her.
She bolts upright.
In the dark room, the white of her wide eyes is stark.
She’s terrified.
I cup her face so she canfocus on me.
“You’re here at my place and you’re safe,” I say. “No one is going to hurt you.”
She grips my t-shirt. “Kaz, I’m not like them. You have to believe me.”
