“You don’t want to know, but men only scream so high when certain parts are skinned, ya know?”
Oh god. She meant his… she meant… I wanted to gag, but I didn’t want to show that kind of weakness. Why didn’t I want to? They weren’t going to judge me for it. Or… did I not really want to gag? Was I secretly revelling in this new information, this new horror he experienced?
“You don’t have to hold back what you’re feeling with that rather graphic revelation,” Lissa prompted gently, so why not, right?
“I thought I was horrified, but when I thought about how that knowledge made me feel, I realised I’m more twisted than I thought. I think I’m glad he suffered that way. I feel like men use their junk to control and abuse women so much that I’m glad his were tortured. Is that sick?”
They both shook their heads, and I turned my head as I heard a door close upstairs. Henley was back, and I was so looking forward to seeing him.
“Everything okay?”
“Henley’s home. He won’t come in here and interrupt us though.”
“He’s a good man. I’m learning that very quickly, and I’m glad. Whether he’s just a friend, or more, he’s a good person to trust.”
“But if he abuses that trust, let me know. I have a new knife I want to try out.”
“Lenore!”
We ended the call, and I headed upstairs, surprised to see Henley on his phone, although his face lit up as he saw me, and he strode across the hall to me, pressing his lips against my forehead.
“Just a sec. Sweetheart, I need to finish this call, then I’ll sort dinner. Think about what you fancy, or if you want to go out to eat.” He grinned and headed for his office, the door closingalmost all the way behind him. Not shutting me out, just being discreet.
His business kept him busy, so I wasn’t surprised he had things to do. I idly glanced at the food in the cupboards or in the fridge, while I considered what I wanted. As I eyed the flour and eggs, a smile crossed my face. I did fancy something, and Sean would have denounced it as ridiculous, and too unhealthy for someone of my ‘build’, but fuck it. I can have what I want now. That’s what everyone was telling me. Henley could join me, or we could make something else for him.
Chapter Thirty
I’d no sooner walkedin the house, and my phone was ringing, so I didn’t go looking for Glory straight away like I really fucking wanted to, because this call might be important.
“Hey, Lissa, what’s up?”
“I literally just finished a call with Glory and Lenore, and wanted to check in with you. She’s probably going to reappear any second now, but I won’t keep you long. I just had some ideas that might help you both.”
Well, I was open to that. I wondered if Micro had been speaking to her, but I figured it wasn’t the kind of thing he’d do, even if he thought it could help. His support didn’t extend to enlisting a therapist for me.
“Just a sec,” I said to her as Glory appeared and my focus went right on her, where it belonged. Lissa was right though. If she had ideas that could help Glory, I’d be a dick not to listen.
I pushed the door to the office, not closing it fully since my mind was already half on the local restaurants, and where I might be able to get a table if she fancied eating out.
“Henley, I’m not about to tell you anything Glory tells me, however, you’ve both alluded to nightmares, and from the details she’s given me, I know she’s struggling to feel safe in her sleep. It occurs to me though, there is one place in your house where she seems to feel safest.”
Huh. Why the fuck didn’t I think of that? It was perfect.
“I’m such a twat. The sofa down there includes a sofabed. We could easily sleep down there. Thanks, that’s a great idea.”
She clearly wasn’t finished though, so I sat down in my leather chair and leaned back to listen.
“Your suggestion for her to connect with Rocket about her art is a great idea too. Has-Been is also an artist and tattooist, so I think it’d do her good to even just sit and talk art with them. She’s open to it, but let her come to you about that. I just wanted to say that I think you’ve got really good instincts, because getting her involved in the things she loved before is key right now, as is the idea of new hobbies and interests.”
I was nodding even though she couldn’t see me, but this was all exactly the kind of stuff I could help her with. Hell, I’ll always buy her anything she needs to get her enjoying life again.
“I told her she can practice her tats on me. I’ll treasure them whether they’re perfect in her eyes or not.”
“That’s very kind and awfully risky of you,” she giggled in my ear, “it’s important not to pressure her though. Tattoos are going to be a subject with the potential to cause her distress because of the removal of hers.”
“That fucker insisted, didn’t he?” I had to force myself not to crush my phone with how my fists were clenching, because I knew it. I just fucking knew that bastard had tried to strip her of her identity in every way possible. Asshole.
“I can’t break confidences, Henley. I’m sure she’ll tell you more when she’s in a good place to do so, but don’t push her for information or answers. Don’t push her for decisions either.Right now, she’s trying to remember how to walk, before either of you can run.”
