“Move,” I snap at Carter. “She said it. Now move the fuck away or I’m going through you.”
He steps aside as I plant my boot and ram the door.
Once. The frame groans.
Twice. Splinters explode.
On the third impact the hinges tear free and the door flies inward, slamming against tile.
She’s under the sink, knees to her chest, phone against her ear, shaking so violently her teeth clatter. Her hair’s fallen out of the ribbon, clinging to her wet cheeks. She doesn’t even register me, eyes glazed and distant, tears streaking her chin.
I cross the floor in two strides, rip the phone from her hand, and hurl it at the wall, making Leilani flinch, but she doesn’t fight when I drop to my knees, pulling her into my lap.
“Hey, shh. It’s okay. It’s over, baby.” My mouth finds her temple, my hand cradling the back of her head. “It’s me. I’m here and he’s far away.”
“He’s coming,” she whispers, inhaling deeply. Her fingers knot in my shirt, a small, wet smile curling her lips. “It worked.”
“You did good,” Carter says, hovering in the doorway, eyes jumping between us. “We’re leaving in two hours, Koby. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
He lingers a second longer, probably waiting for my agreement, but a beat later he exhales through his nose and leaves. The door clicks shut behind him, and the silence that follows is deafening.
Leilani shivers against me, so small I could fold her into my chest and hide her from the world. I tuck her closer, fighting the urge to rock her gently. She’d surely knock my teeth out if I tried.
I wait until her breath slows before I lift her.
“I can walk.”
“So can I,” I shoot back, rising with her in my arms.
She buries her face against my neck, too tired or maybe too shaken to fight me. I carry her to the bed and lay her down, but when I pull away, she grabs my wrist.
“I’m not going anywhere, hellcat.” I toe off my boots and wind myself around her.
She tilts her head up. “You can relax. I’m okay.”
“You’re shaking.”
“Part of the act. I’m okay,” she repeats, pressing her hand right above my hammering heart. “You can’t keep acting like I’ll break the second you blink. I’ve survived worse than what’s coming.It’s almost over, Koby. When we wake up tomorrow, Anton and Octavius will be gone and I’ll be free.”
“Free...” I taste the word, my heart swelling and shrinking at the same time. Clearing my throat, I close my eyes and ask the one question that’s been keeping me awake late into the night for days. “Will you stay?”
“What do you mean?”
“Once you’re free.” I swallow whatever the fuck is stuck behind my Adam’s apple. “Will you stay with me?”
I feel her shift beside me.
“Look at me.”
Should I? If she saysnoI’d rather she didn’t see how much it tears me apart. I shake my head.
She huffs and her small fingers pry my left eye open.
“Ouch! What the fuck, hellcat?”
“I said,look at me.”
Her pretty face hangs over mine, those dark eyes jumping between mine, down to my lips, and back. “You’re worried I’ll leave you? Why didn’t you say anything?”
