“If you don’t want people to indulge, you shouldn’t leave it out like this.”
She reaches us, nearly crushing him in a hug before she sees the state of his face. Her mouth forms an O, but before she can comment, he pulls her into the embrace. They finally break apart, and she shakes her head, tsking her tongue as she turns to me.
“Well, I never thought I’d see the day, Luke.” She steps toward me, eyes narrowing in on my arm. “Oh Mylanta! Are you injured as well, young lady?” She gently pulls my hand, leaning down to inspect the bandage. “Let’s get some food in your bellies before we address these...injuries.”
She bustles around the kitchen, pulling out Tupperware with food she scoops onto white plates and pops into the microwave.
“I hardly believed it when we got the call. I told Walter, I said, ‘If that boy comes to see us, I’ll wash all the baseboards,’ which, of course, was a lie, but I just never thought you’d find the time to come.”
Luke pulls out a barstool for me, grabbing his own and sitting. “The trip was...unexpected.”
The food smells incredible. I’m nearly starving to death, but I’m also so exhausted that I might pass out right here on the wood-planked floor. Luke reaches out a hand to rub the back of my neck.
“You gonna make it, Cabernet?” he leans in to whisper, fingers moving up to massage the base of my skull.
My eyes drift closed as I slowly nod. I could fall asleep, sitting up, if he kept doing that.
The food is immaculate—roast beef and green beans with mashed potatoes swimming in brown gravy. We both inhale it while Linnet jabbers about the crop of lemons and peaches. She seems to think butter is a main ingredient in everything, and I’m extremely grateful for it.
Luke finishes first. He disappears into the house, returning with a bottle of pills. “This will help you sleep, okay?”
I nod, obediently opening my mouth, and he places two on my tongue. His green eyes focus on mine.
Linnet leads us up to our rooms. I don’t register the direction we’re taking, but it feels like an eternity of stairs and hallways before we finally reach the destination. She bids us good night, and all I can think about is crawling into the bed to rest.
“Let me help you,” Luke says from behind me.
He walks in front of me toward the dresser, opening a drawer. I start to peel down my jogger pants. He’s seen it all, so no need for shame now. I’m too exhausted for embarrassment.
He returns with a faded blue T-shirt. I can’t lift my arm, and he seems to realize it. The sleeve of my hoodie has already been cut off, so he takes the hem in his fists and tears it right up the front.
“Just can’t get me naked fast enough, huh?”
His lips quirk up slightly. “If I wasn’t exhausted, sort of beat up, and suffering from a chronic migraine...then yes.”
He gently slides the sleeves off. Then, he pushes my head through the new shirt like I’m a child before awkwardly fitting my wounded arm through. I hiss as it twists slightly too far.
“Sorry...damn, Kate. I’m just...I’m sorry this happened to you. I hope you know that I can keep you safe. You’re safehere, okay?” He rubs a hand over my good arm, his jaw set in determination.
“I trust you,” I say simply.
He’s done everything he can to protect and care for me in the last few hours.
His blinks, his eyes a little shiny. He takes my hand, leading me to the bed. I crawl in, and he tucks me under the covers.
“I’m right across the hall if you need me, okay?”
I nod, closing my eyes. I drift off almost instantly as his footsteps retreat.
CHAPTER 26
LUKE
The morning bringssoreness in every one of my limbs. Moving feels worse than death. I finally roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as the light begins to pour through the window. This house usually fills me with peace, but after the events of yesterday, I can’t shake the tension in my bones. I slept restlessly, checking on Kate multiple times to make sure she wasn’t still bleeding.
I groan as I roll out of bed, making my way to the en suite bathroom to shower. The master bedroom and bath are enormous, all white and cream furnishings and paint.
My face is hideously bruised, but some of the swelling has gone down. The steaming hot water helps marginally with the discomfort in my muscles. I pull on a pair of worn jeans I left here before walking out onto the balcony overlooking the back gardens.
