Not crying.Just shaking, like her body's releasing tension it's been holding for too long.
I sit beside her and pull her against me, one hand on her back, the other in her hair, keeping her grounded.Keeping her here.
"I need to make a call," I say quietly."Can you sit here for a minute?Or go take a shower?Something to calm down?"
"Don't leave."
"I'm not leaving.Just stepping into the hall for one minute.I'll be right back.I promise."
She nods slowly, pulls away, and wraps her arms around herself like she's trying to hold the pieces together.
"Go sit down," I say gently."Or lie down.Whatever you need.I'll be right back."
She moves to the couch, curls into the corner, and makes herself small.Scared.
I step into the hallway, pull out my phone, and call Rush.
He answers on the second ring."Yeah?"
"Declan left a note under her door.While we were inside."
Silence.Then: “What'd it say?"
"I see you."
"Fuck."I hear movement on his end and then voices."Where are you now?"
"Her flat.She's inside.She’s safe for now."
"How's she doing?"
"Terrified.Shaking.Full panic attack."
"And you?"
"Ready to kill him."
"Yeah.Figured."More movement."Alright, listen, we're mobilizing.Raptor, Preacher, Cowboy.Few others.We'll find this fuck and end it.Tonight."
"I want to be there when you do."
"Figured you would.I'll text you when we have something.In the meantime, stay with her.Keep her calm.Don't let her do anything stupid like try to run."
"She won't run.She's too scared to move."
"Good.Keep her safe and still."
"Rush—"
"We'll handle it, brother.I promise.This ends tonight."
I hang up and stand there for a second, forcing myself to calm down.To breathe.To think clearly.
Declan Fahy is a dead man.He just doesn't know it yet.
I go back inside.Lock the door.Double-check it.Then move to the couch where Enya's still curled up, shaking.
I sit beside her, and she immediately curls into me, face pressed against my chest, hands fisting in my shirt, holding on like I'm the only thing keeping her upright.
