“Because of your last monster?” I know her better than she realizes.
I’ve also been privy to her conversations with the shrink whichmayhave given me some insider knowledge.
“Yea. It’s like they’re under my skin. I know I shouldn’t but…” As her thoughts trail off, the unmistakable smell of her lust permeates the midday breeze.
Fuck.
I have an uphill battle if I’ll ever be able to compete with that.
But I can be patient.
By evening she isn’t dragging her feet as much. Maybe it was the extra rations I was able to feed her at lunch?
When I get the fire started for our makeshift camp, she snuggles close to me, resting her temple on my arm.
“Hud, I’m sorry.” Her fingers rest on my elbow while she sighs. “I didn’t want to—”
“I understand. I’m fine, I promise.” Reaching behind her, I pull her closer to my side. “I’m pretty sure the list is long of things I’d forgive you for.” Chuckling softly, my thumb rubs a slow circle on her skin.
“I had to get out of there.” Her jaw clenches as she stares into the flames. “I want to find Michael. I couldn’t take another day of being…used.”
I want to kiss her pain away, but hold back. “You don’t have to explain, Jen. I was there. I saw what they did to you.”
Her spine stiffens and she pulls away. “You were part of it, Hud. You stood there while they—” A quaking inhale turns into a stifled sob.
“I know.” I’m not going to defend the choices I made for my own selfish reasons. “It’ll be different now. I’m not bound by any more secrets.”
Embers cast sparks into the darkness, settling into glowing piles before she speaks again. “Is it crazy I miss him?”
Scooping her up, I slide her across my lap to nestle between my legs, wrapping her tightly in my blanket. “I don’t think it’s wrong that you have such a forgiving heart. It gives me hope.”
The chill of night pushes her against me until her breathing levels and she leans heavily into my chest.
This is the part I always dreamed of, having her in my arms in a moment of peace.
No surgeries, or appointments.
Just the sacred silence of comfort.
Except it too comes with a trade-off. Any chance I had at finding my daughter disappeared the moment I told Ash to turn off those cameras.
That was the moment I knew my path changed.
A pang of guilt darts through me. I chose her over him.
I will every time.
He would have tried to drag her back. His own humanity was his weakness. The spark of truth was there in the fury of his eyes.
Jenny, and anyone like her, are an asset. A tool.
An object to be used without caring abouther.
No more.
Her needs have become mine. This drive within me to be near her is unfathomable.
And I can barely contain the urge to purge his stink from her pores.
