My attention shifts to Erik, who has let the dogs follow Tianna. Their brief bravado is gone. Now they press against her legs, unsure who’s comforting whom. Her hands move restlessly over their silky ears as they bracket her.
I send Meg a quick text, telling her we’re delayed and to stay at the house.
As the officer with Tianna moves away from her to speak to me, I watch her closely. Still pale, but she seems more resolute. She is standing straighter and watching the man with narrowed eyes.
Chapter eighty-three
Christianna
The officers release us to go home.
Erik and Remy flank me. I have both dogs, though they’re pressing against my legs now, Bass is trying to wedge himself between my calves, whining under his breath.
Remy reaches for the leash. “Let me take Treble.”
I pass it over and move around Bass without tripping or stepping on him. Erik takes my arm to steady me. I glance up, managing a small smile. He squeezes once.
“Do you need to play?” he asks.
I consider it.
“No,” I say. “I think I want to eat. Surrounded by my friends.”
Chapter eighty-four
Christianna
Upon entering the house, I am greeted by the warm, comforting scents of Cajun cooking. Meg barely restrains herself from pouncing on me.
I return the embrace, as she holds me tight, only breaking when the guys move past us.
“Tell David dinner smells delicious, and we will be in shortly. I need to wash up and talk to Erik and Remy before we come in.”
Meg nods and gives an uncertain smile to Remy before heading back to the kitchen.
Erik has moved to stand behind Remy. I hear the soft scrape of dog bowls in the butler’s pantry.
“I need to wash up,” I say. “Do you want to come upstairs while I do? I want to finish what I started to tell you.”
“If you’re comfortable,” Remy murmurs, falling into step behind me.
I have not done a very good job of finishing moving in. We have the essentials. Nothing more. I close my eyes briefly aswe enter my bedroom, then head for the bathroom to wash my hands.
When I return, both of them are sitting at the end of the oversized bed.
I stop near the wall.
“This isn’t easy.” I force my hands still and make myself look at them. “You have both been incredibly kind and patient. I want you to know I’m not broken, and I don’t need a white knight.”
My smile is small, sad. “I’m a survivor, and I come with some baggage. Before I consider a relationship, I need to prove to myself that I can stand on my own two feet. If later you are willing to deal with my bullshit, great. But right now, I need to be focused on me.”
Erik watches me carefully. “This is the no you were referring to earlier?”
I nod.
“Can we still compose together?” he asks. “This is as much yours as mine. It would not be sensible to leave it behind.”
My heart constricts. “Yes. We can still compose together.”
