Before I can do or say a thing, he disappears, reappearing a second later with a chair. And then before I can say a word he’s sitting me down, combing through my hair. Using the right amount of pressure too.
I stare in the mirror as he combs every knot out. Unsurprisingly my memories bounce back to that time in the hospital the morning after the attack. It doesn’t take long for me to realise that the deep well of emotion I associate with that whole scenario no longer seems as intense. In time that might change, but true to his word Ramses chased away some plaguing memories that had been haunting me for too long.
And once again Ramses proves there still is a lot of magic in finding scent-matched Alphas. He doesn’t say a word as he places the comb down in my lap, but his touch over my back tells me enough; he’s here to help me however he can.
Before joining him again I put on a comfy PJ set since it’s getting late, along with a long pair of matching socks because they match. As I step out, he comes back in from the other room.
“I fed the kittens for you. I hope that’s not overstepping,” he says.
“You know it’s not. Don’t you start making it something it’s not. One of us having a freak out is enough,” I say leaning against the doorjamb.
“Pretty much everything we do is going to need to be fleshed out in some way, Heidi, because of what I feel for you. So yeah, I’ll check on you and doubt myself almost as much as you do. But if we’re honest with each other, we’ll be fine. I promise. Now, let’s go to bed, I’m pretty worn out since I had to do all the work before,” he winks.
“Yeah, about that,” I mock glare.
And he sobers up again, his eyes dropping to his feet. “And that’s one of those instances I was just talking about. I feel like such a dick. I’m sorry if I hurt or scared you. I’m not sorry I did what I did or that we did what we did though.”
“You didn’t hurt me. It was a bit freaky at the start, but despite everything, Ramses, I do trust you. I trusted you with my heart and soul. It’s just a bit weird now. And I know I need to figure out if that’s something I can move past or not. Everything you three do hits all the right places and I appreciate you trying and telling me the truth but I’m not where we were.” My words seem to tumble out. Some of what I say doesn’t make sense or maybe it does, either way, I’m fine with him knowing where I’m at. And for someone who’s always been guarded because their responses and reactions usually get thrown back in their face, I take it as a personal win.
“I know. And strangely, I’m okay with that. Would you like me to go? I don’t have to stay.”
I consider his question. “Wouldn’t you just come back later?”
“I mean, it’s highly likely. It is my night.”
“Really?” I growl.
He laughs before moving to guide me back to bed. I go to walk past, stopping right in front of him. “Did your mom say I’d get my happy ever after?”
“What do you think?” He shakes his head, staring at me this time like I really did lose my mind.
And this time when he fills me in on more details about The Phoenix Group, I start to see exactly what he means about us being more similar than I gave us credit for. Ramses had no choice but to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
The expectation from his parents that he and his brothers devote their life to helping people in abusive or horrible situations became unavoidable when his parents were killed. Ramses investigated the circumstance of what happened – his mother was injured out on a job but it was the subsequent car wreck that ended their lives, either way it was nothing but a tragic accident. It was hard to listen to and I held him tight long after the story and emotion poured out of him.
The Phoenix Group came about in the aftermath of what happened to his grandparents’ pack. It changed along the way, in the start it was set up to help those in need with simple things like money or shelter, or medication. But the more they did, the more they saw that there’s a large proportion of our community who have no one to fight for them when the authorities refuse to believe them. Omegas, Alphas and Betas in domestic violence situations. Children being abused. Brothers selling sisters. Mothers locked in fear. Packs ruining lives.
We talk for hours. In the deepest part of the night, he confesses his irrational fear of not being strong enough to save me. Even though we both know that is, and will never be, the case.
ChapterForty-One
HEIDI
Ramses looks good sleeping in my bed. The kittens are bundled into the space between us, and I’d still be asleep if my phone hadn’t rung.
Climbing out of bed to not wake them up, I hit the redial button as soon as I close the door.
“Sorry to call so early. I’m about to land and wanted to let you know. Bobby is aware and will have breakfast set for us in the front parlour.”
Allan’s voice echoes because he’s using the satellite phone, the sound of the rotor blades of the chopper a dull noise in the background.
“How far off are you?”
“I’ll be disembarking in under five minutes. I want to talk to you about a few things.”
My thoughts jump straight to Ramses. “I’ve got someone here, Allan.”
“You’re an adult, Heidi, you can make your own decisions regarding who is with you. If you trust them, bring them.”
