They hook her up to an IV to push fluids and she’s already starting to get color back into her cheeks. I haven’t left her side other than to use the bathroom. Antonio and Larson have come in and out checking on her and even brought her a bag of toiletries and a change of clothes for when she’s released.
My hand is wrapped around hers and I’m hunched over with my head resting on her bed. As my eyes start to fall closed, I feel her hand move under mine. I instantly shoot up in a sitting position with green eyes staring at me.
“Alaric.” Her voice is nothing but a whisper. She’s staring at me with a surprised look.
“I’m here, baby girl. What do you need?” I wrap both my hands around hers and squeeze to let her know I’m here and not going anywhere. She doesn’t pull away but squeezes back.
Her eyes move away from mine, looking around the room in confusion. She takes in the room and I see her chest rise with a deep breath and fall in relief. Her body relaxes, realizing she’s no longer a captive, but free and alive.
That only lasts a few minutes before she starts to sit up frantically. She winces at what I assume is the pain that radiates through her body and she slouches back down. Shutting her eyes, she tries to recenter herself before trying to get back up.
“Love, lie back down. You need to rest.” I try to carefullypush her back down against the bed but her body is tense and stiff as a board.
Panic fills her eyes and her body begins to shake.
“Where are they? Please tell me they got out.” Her voice raises and she pushes me away before her bare feet meet the cold floor.
“Celeste. Baby. They’re safe. They’re in the hospital in Cold Spring. That was the nearest hospital. We’ll bring you to them once you’re clear. Antonio insisted on bringing you to the hospital he could trust. They’re safe, you’re safe,” I reassure her.
The fear in her eyes begins to dwindle and she allows me to help her back into bed. She moves to one side of the bed giving me space for me to lie with her. I take the invitation and slide my shoes off before taking up the spot. Wrapping my arms around her, she nestles into me, lying her hand and head onto my chest. I feel spots on my shirt becoming wet and I lift her chin to look up at me.
Tears stream down her face as she gives me a sad smile. My inner alarms begin to ring when I see more tears flow down. I can tell she’s been holding this in for so long and now she’s finally breaking. She’s giving me her vulnerable side that she doesn’t allow anyone to see.
“What’s wrong, baby girl? What do you need?” I kiss her forehead softly.
She doesn’t answer right away. In fact, she leaves me hanging for the next ten minutes as she sobs. I hold her tighter, letting her know that she’s safe with me. My heart breaks little by little seeing how devastated she is. If I could take all her pain away, I would in a heartbeat.
“You came for me,” she finally breathes out.
My brows knit together in confusion. Why would she think that I wouldn’t come for her?
“Of course, I came for you. I never stopped looking until we found you. You can’t get rid of me that easily. Your family and I worked day in and day out until we brought you home.” Pushing back her hair, I swipe my thumb under her eyes, wiping the tears away.
“I assume you know who I am by now. Why would you stay here and risk everything? I’m not who you think I am. I’m not good, Alaric. You’re so good and I would be your ruin.” She begins to push away from me as if she’s going to taint my whole being.
I don’t let her go though. I bring her closer to me and hold her like no one has ever held her before. No matter how bad she thinks she is, no matter her sins, I can’t let her go and I won’t.
“Darkness recognizes darkness, darlin’. I would go to the end of this world and burn it all down if it meant that I could keep you at my side. I meant it when I said that I would be the brightest star to guide you out of the dark. You’re that for me when I begin to slip.” Bending my head down, I cup her cheek and crash my lips to hers.
I’ve missed these sweet lips. The feel of her in my arms, tenderness of the kiss, and the way she melts into me is the only thing I looked forward to. The pieces of the puzzle align and fit perfectly together. She whimpers, clenching my shirt in her hands. I reluctantly break the kiss, meeting those beautiful eyes.
“You are mine and I am yours. Never again will you slip from my hold. Till the end, baby girl.” She gives me a soft smile before laying her head back onto my chest.
Her breathing evens out and her body once more relaxes before she falls back asleep in my arms. Clinging onto her like I’m going to lose her again, I lie there with her and let my eyes flutter shut. Peace, this is what peace feels like.
Nothing in this world matters. There would be no me if I didn’t have her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
MONROE
“Don’t let your assumptions cloud your judgment. The very person you swore was evil, maybe the one to save you in the end.”
The relief I feel when I step out of the prison we were trapped in is an understatement. Even with the clouds darkening the sky and rain beating against my skin, it was way better than the windowless hell we were in. The fresh air hitting my nose and the rough earth under my feet reminds me that I’m going to live another day. This isn’t going to be our end.
A very large, muscular man helps us out of the house, escorting us to the SUV. As terrifying as he looks, his voice is gentle and he does everything he can to make sure that we are under the cover of safety. I’m assuming he knows Celeste, given I’ve never seen him at the station before. Now that I look at him, they look like they could be twins. He gently lifts Samantha into the SUV and then helps me in. Before he leaves us, he gives us a blanketto wrap in.
Movement catches my eye and Alaric has a body in his arms as he’s rushing out of the house. The man rushes over to him, trying to take the body from his hands but Alaric refuses to hand it over to him. Dark brown hair splays down the still body.
