Me, someone who doesn't deserve it.
Her face grows sad. I know why, she’s thinking about the man she calls the Frenchman. I know the feeling of losing someone in the field very well. Nothing can prepare you for that, and no amount of training will make it easier.
“You did everything in your power to prevent that outcome. I’m sure of it. I was a witness. You need to stop thinking it was your fault.”
“I know, but I can’t shake this feeling that I could’ve done better.” She sighs.
We fuse our bodies in a hug. God, I can't stop hugging her. I need her, and I don't think I realized how desperate I have been to touch her skin again until now. I want her close to me, forever.
I pick her up in and take her to my bed. It's time to sleep. I get behind her and lock her in my arms. She welcomes me, curling up inside and exhaling deeply. Her body relaxes. Perhaps she is brave enough to face the world, but now – now she is in my bed. Now I am her shield.
“You don't have to worry about anything. From now on, I will take care of you, as I should have done from the beginning,” I whisper in her ear.
“What do you mean?” Her voice is barely audible.
“I mean that if we ever get back home, I will not let you out of my sight, not for one damn second.” Do I sound like a psychopath? Yeah. Do I care? No.
She makes a peculiar sound, like she is agreeing with me, but I know she is about to fall asleep.
I have a few days to get her ready. What she's about to experience is not the unforgiving cold of a jail cell at my hands, this is something entirely different, something meaner, harsher. Our lives will be in constant danger. I'm risking everything for Dante.Everything. But I have to try, I owe him at least that.
A few minutes later, Sarah's breathing becomes slow and silent. That’s what I expected. She is tired, after all she’s been through. Falling into a deep sleep is only natural.
Slowly I slip my arm away from under her pillow and leave the room, closing the door behind me. I have to clear a few things up.
I enter the living room completely naked and pull my cellphone out of the jacket I left on the couch. I speed dial.
It’s ringing.
Come on, pick up, you prick.
“Hello?” I hear from the other side.
“What the fuck, Carter?” Loud music is playing in the background. I can tell he's moving away from the party, to a place where he can better hear all that I have to yell at him.
“Cuz, I swear.” His voice sounds slow and drunk.
“The fuck is wrong with you? If she dies here, you're next, you hear me?” A shuffling noise comes through.
“Ah!Professor.” Rage’s unmistakable, heavy voice triggers fire inside me, and here I thought I was pissed off before. “Don't be so hard on Hollywood.”
Hollywood?
“Think of it this way, if he didn't intervene, I would probably be fucking her right now, so I think you should be thanking him.”
Motherfucker.
“Everyone is brave over the phone. I'm looking forward to you saying that to my face.” I can feel my blood boiling.
“As hotheaded as ever, I see. She's your responsibility now. I hope you take care of her like I did.” He immediately ends the call.
I’m raging.
Take care of her. Sarah is the only fucking reason why my heart beats, you fucking idiot!
I chuck my phone against the wall. Bits and pieces fly across the room as it shatters on contact. Rage is going to pay for this.
Sarah burst through the door with terror in her eyes. She finds what’s left of my smashed cellphone on the floor in front of her.
