Page 27 of Hide Little Traitor

“Tell me what you need, Chloe,” he pleads, and I truly believe I could ask for anything in the world right now and he’d find a way to make it happen. As if my comfort is the only thing that matters to him.

“I don’t think I can do it alone,” I murmur, the words so quiet he wouldn’t hear them if it weren’t for how close he’s holding me.

His body stills for a moment. To his credit, he only takes a handful of seconds to recover, and before I get the chance to say another word, he’s carefully tugging the oversized sweater over my head with the arm not cradling me against his chest.

Next goes the torn nightgown that has long lost its usual baby-blue coloring, and the second it’s gone, I feel infinitely better, even I’m almost completely naked in front of someone I barely know.

Kingston’s eyes don’t dip as he toes off his shoes and steps us into the shower, not bothering to strip out of his suit.

The hot water is heavenly on my aching body, and I allow my eyes to drift closed.

Despite the humidity in the cellar, there was a time I thought I’d never feel warmth again. Not this kind at least. The warmth that comes with being safe and comfortable.

I was so sure I was going to die down there, I’m not sure I know how to live after escaping.

A stuttered sob tears from my chest as the gravity of everything I’ve survived finally hits home.

I’m alone in the world.

My parents are gone.

I’ll never see Ronan again.

And worst of all, I have no way of providing for this baby.

Every hope and dream I had is gone.

I’ll spend the rest of my life running. It will never be safe for me to let anyone in.

For the first time in my life, I’m completely alone, and that reality hurts almost as much as the physical and psychological torture I’ve survived.

When I give birth in nine months, I’ll be by myself. Terrified.

I’ll be alone for every single milestone they have, their first steps, their first day of school, their first everything.

Kingston’s hold on me tightens, and I allow the water hitting the tiles and his rhythmic heartbeat to pull my mind from the darkest recesses of itself.

There will be plenty of time to dwell on my bleak future, but for just a little while, I accept the comfort being offered to me.

Because soon, I’ll be on my own, and who knows when anyone will offer it again.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

RONAN

NOW

It’s been a week since I heard from Damon.

Each day that passes has my need to go back to Miami growing, but Ryker’s right.

Don’t tell him I said that.

The story my brother has spun is shaky at best, and all my showing up without Ralph or Chloe is going to prove is that it was all a big lie, which would promptly get us both killed.

It doesn’t help that we’re no closer to finding Chloe than we were when we started.

Something that has become obvious this week is that we were never close to tracking down Kingston. Because not only did we never come across any of these houses during my years trying to find him, but he’s clearly done very well for himself in that time while staying under the radar.