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But I don’t know how.

I glance up at the road.

We’re almost home.

Jumper is watching me again. I can feel his gaze on Lennon and I and turn to him, arching a brow.

“What the hell is your deal?”

He shakes his head. “Just never seen you like this, man.”

“Like what?” I spit, irritation clawing at me. It’s probably not his fault but he is the easiest person for me to take it out on right now and I’ll have to apologize to him later.

“Tender.” He turns back to the road, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I expected Hyde to come out.”

My head jerks back and my brows furrow. “Is there a threat I’m not seeing here, Jump? Besides, I’m not ever going to fucking abandon her to go fight some asshole.”

“Didn’t realize you had that much control over him.”

His words hit me and I stare at the road ahead of us for a second before shaking my head.

I don’t.

I’ve never had that much control over Hyde.

He’s always been the part of me that I constantly have to fight, have to keep in check.

But not now.

I look down at Lennon. Her face is pressed against my hand and her pulse is beating steadily against my wrist and I suck in a breath.

It’s her.

She’s more important than Hyde’s thirst for blood.

“Neither did I.”

“Takes… care of… me,” Lennon whispers, her eyes cracking open ever so slightly and I lean in. My heart is racing as I search her face for answers.

Her words have been so jumbled, so incoherent, and I don’t even know if she knows what she’s trying to say right now.

“I’m here, baby,” I assure her, hoping like hell that it’s enough. “I’ve got you.”

She shakes her head. “No one… takes… care…of me.”

What she’s been trying to say the entire car ride finally lands and it’s like a fist through my chest. I pull her closer and press my lips to her forehead, my muscles tense and the hand against her cheek trembling ever so slightly.

“I take care of you, Lennon.” I close my eyes and breathe her in. “That’s my job now.”

I pull back and she’s out again.

A stuttered breath leaves my lips as I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes.

Every part of me wants to go rip something apart with my bare hands.

This is fucking torture.

And there is nothing I can do to fix it.