“You’ll have to talk to your brother. I’ve probably said more than I should have. You can stay here tonight if you want,” I offered, rising to leave. As I turned, he grabbed my arm.
“Thank you… for giving a damn about him,” he whispered, voice raw. He did love Cezar. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was how blind they’d been.
I eased out of his grip with a nod, too exhausted to carry his pain and mine. Sleep was calling, and this time, I’d wake up with Cezar beside me.
Chapter 40
CEZAR
Iwould’ve preferred waking up with another bullet in me. Whatever sounds I made weren’t human, but Lina was already there, asking if I needed water or anything at all.
She handed me a glass once the shaking eased enough for me to hold it properly. I drank half of it too fast, throat burning, while she stayed close in unusual silence. Her fingers dug into the blanket before she glanced at me again.
“What?” I muttered hoarsely.
“You kept saying someone’s name in your sleep.”
My grip tightened around the glass.
Fuck.
“Baciu,” she said quietly.
The room suddenly felt too small.
I stared down into the water for a long moment before leaning back against the headboard. My body fucking ached everywhere. Dorin’s drugs dulled enough of it to keep me upright, though not enough to stop the memories.
“He worked for my father,” I finally said. “One of the gardeners. Good man.”
Lina stayed quiet.
“He was raising his granddaughters alone after his daughter died from cancer a few years back. Two little girls, around sixyears old at the time.” My teeth clenched. “Father used him to punish me.”
The softness in her expression disappeared.
“I knew he was begging for his life,” I admitted quietly. “Begging for those girls.” I had to swallow past the pressure building in my throat. “And I couldn’t do a fucking thing about it.”
The memory returned with brutal clarity.
Lina’s hand settled carefully over mine.
“I made him a promise,” I said, barely above a whisper. “I told him, ‘I will make sure your granddaughters live a good life. I will protect them. I swear on my mom’s life.’”
I looked away, forcing the memory back down enough to speak.
“‘I will make sure they are safe from this world and from my father.’”
From me.
Lina reached over and carefully took the glass from me. I hadn’t realized how hard I was gripping it until she eased it loose and set it on the nightstand.
“Zar,” she said softly, “I know you.”
Zar... I’m so happy I’m home.
“I know you kept your promise.”
I looked away hard enough to make my muscles protest. Her fingertips grazed the nape of my neck before she cupped the side of my face, and I closed my eyes, giving in to the comfort of her touch. Neither of us said anything before I finally pushed myself to stand.
