Cayden may think I don’t notice the smaller details of what he does for me, but I do. The way he lets me always feel in control while knowing I can lean on him for whatever I need sends a shiver through me. He’s so considerate of every detail, I’m not even sure he realises all of them.
Opening the wardrobe, I find a pair of jeans and a knitted sweater waiting for me, along with a pair of shoes similar to the sneakers The Academy let us wear in the beginning. The soles are flat, with small indents for grip. Completely white and clearly brand new.
The jeans fit perfectly, sitting on my waist while the sweater hangs loosely off my frame. It’s beautiful, it makes me feel beautiful.
“Breakfast is ready, love.” Cayden knocks on the door gently before entering, his face softening when he sees me.
“You like it?”
“Yeah, I really like it. Thank you, Cayden.”
“We really need to work on your pet names, love.” He chuckles, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my forehead. “You look good like this. Free from The Academy bullshit.” Cayden pauses as if questioning whether or not to say something when suddenly there is a loud bang outside.
Instantly we both move to the window, looking out to see armed guards entering the apartment building next to ours. Fuck.
“If they’re looking in there it means someone tipped them off the wrong information. We’re okay, love. The worst thing to do right now is try to run. Let’s have breakfast, and you can take a minute to breathe. Then we’ll go to where I want to take you.”
Cayden’s words are like a soothing balm to my mind, immediately quieting any thoughts I have about running as far as possible.
“Come on, love.” Taking my hand, Cayden leads me into the kitchen where all the boys and Bella are sat calm as can be, which soothes me more.
“Morning.” I smile, earning me a few back from the boys.
Bella, however, jumps up from her seat and wraps her arms around me. “I’m so glad there’s more than one person with a uterus in this house. The boys are going insane.”
?
Cayden leads me down the street where his car is parked before opening the passenger door for me.
“Don’t trust me to drive today?” I tease, and he smirks.
“Not today, love. It’s too risky.” Making sure I’m comfortable, Cayden closes the door before moving to the driver’s side, sitting down, and starting the engine.
The car speeds down the main roads before turning on the highway for the Zone checkpoints, and again we get through to Zone Three without complaint. But he doesn’t continue to the elites’ side like I expected. Instead, he starts driving down roads I’ve never seen before, stopping outside a park.
“Come on, I want to show you something.”
Stepping out of the car, Cayden walks to my side before opening my door and helping me out, leading us with our hands intertwined towards the tree line on the far side of the park. I don’t ask where he’s taking me, I trust him.
And for the first time, that doesn’t terrify me.
“It’s only a small walk, baby.” Cayden’s thumb rubs over the top of my hand, trying to calm any anxiety he thinks I might have, but I don’t have any. My ribs still hurt from the re-education site, but I can survive a small walk.
“I trust you.” The grin on his face is blinding, his dimples showing.
“Good.”
Turns out Cayden’s idea of a small walk is twenty minutes uphill, and I think I might be dying. My body aches from overuse after resting for so long, and still struggling with my lingering issues. I gasp in a breath as the air wheezes out my lungs.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I thought you would be able to handle it.” Cayden panics, coming to my side and wrapping an arm around my waist to take some weight off me.
“I’m fine,” I wheeze, not sounding fine at all.
“Sit, take as long as you need. I’ll carry you back, okay? We’re two minutes away.”
From what? Because right now I feel two minutes away from death, and honestly if this was his plan, points for creativity. I know it’s not, but I would still be slightly impressed despite myself. “I’m okay. I can keep going.”
“Nope, take another minute. Catch your breath,” Cayden orders, and I almost giggle at how concerned he sounds. The way he looks at me, the worry in his eyes. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced.
