“Why are you defending them?” My voice raises involuntarily, and she flinches.Goddammit.
She looks down at her lap, where Zeus tentatively rests his head. Surprisingly, she doesn’t recoil. Instead, she reaches out and pats his head a few times. “You don’t know me.”
I take a deep breath. “I know that you continually shrink yourself down to appease your husband’s ego. I know that you’re smart and thoughtful and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I know that you’re finally waking up and learning what it means to make your own choices and that you’re probably scared.”
Her eyes—now flooded with tears—find mine. “Of course I’m scared! I’m terrified of letting myself process everything that’s happened in the last twelve years because I know when I do, it will break me.” A breathless sob stutters past her lips. “It willbreakme, Maverick. I’m not strong enough.”
I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her into my body as she starts to cry. With my chin resting on the top of her head, I speak low and slow. “You are strong, darlin’. You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“I’m not,” she cries. “I can’t do it.”
I pull away, my hands resting on her shoulders as she looks up at me with puffy eyes. “Youcan. And even if you break, we’ll be there to help you pick up the pieces.”
She nods weakly. “Do you promise?”
Fuck, this woman does something to me.“I promise.” I wipe a tear off her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes close briefly and she takes a deep breath. “He’s not gonna stop. He’ll come for me.”
I fail to hold in my scoff. “Let him try.”
“Maverick,” she pleads. “He won’t stop.Gabriel doesn’tdofailure.”
I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “You’re safe here, okay? I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”
“I’m putting everyone here in danger. Maybe we could arrange for some kind of trade. Me for something equally valuable to your cause.”
“Jesus Christ.” I stand, my blood running hot in my veins. “You’re not a fucking bartering chip. Nothing they could offer me would be worth it to send you back to that hellscape.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
I laugh dryly. “Just because you can’t see your own value doesn’t mean I don’t.”
Her mouth opens and closes several times, apparently unable to come up with a dignified response. “We can talk about this later.”
“Sure, darlin’.” I smirk. “But my answer won’t change.”
She crosses her arms, the freckles on her nose scrunching together slightly. “Goodnight, Mr. Stetson.”
This woman, I think as my smile grows. “Goodnight, Mrs. Sinclair.”
I leave the tent, ignoring the voice in my head that says she won’t change her mind. She would sacrifice her happiness for the safety of everyone here without a second thought. Not because it’s what she’s been raised to do, but because she’s selfless.
I lie down on my bedroll and stare up at the stars, Zeus snuggling into my side as an idea takes root in my brain. I would never willingly send Delilah back to New Athens, but maybe I can help prepare her if that ever does happen.
???
“Rise and shine, darlin’.” I walk into my tent to find Delilah looking adorable curled up on my pillow on her side. I smile as I watch her, imagining what it would be like to be in bed next to her. I’d wrap my arm around her torso and pull her back into my chest. I bet her curves would fit perfectly against me. I exhale roughly, forcing myself to stay focused.
She groans and stretches, eyelids fluttering open. Once her gaze lands on me, a mask slips into place. “Good morning.”
My eyes narrow, wondering where the shift in her attitude came from. “Come on.”
“Of course, sir.” She gets out of bed and slips her shoes and my borrowed flannel on, keeping her eyes downcast.
“You’re not curious where we’re going?” I ask, crossing my arms.
“It’s not my place to question you.”
