Page 37 of Midnight Salvation

As she presses her face into my neck, I feel the sharp edges of heartbreak splintering within me. My palm settles against the back of her head, silently giving her permission to take whatever she needs from me. I don’t know the right words to say, but instinct compels me to say something, to comfort her.

“It’s alright, sugar. I’ll take care of you. You’re alright.”

Time ceases to have meaning as we stay wrapped around one another. It could be a minute or an hour. The soft touch of her body against mine is a soothing salve to my overflowing anxiety.

For the first time in days, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Part of me knows I’m undeserving of such a gift, but I’m going to take it all the same. I vow then and there to do whatever I have to in order to make sure she stays safe.

Falling in love with someone isn’t as black and white as I thought it was. It’s a speeding freight train barreling toward a cliff until you’re suspended in air for that one perfect moment of clarity. And it’s a slow trickle of happiness that you don’t realize is filling your hollowed soul until one day you wake up with a smile and a show tune stuck in your head.

Evangeline Carter is the answer to every single question. Even all the ones that haven’t been asked yet.

“I can’t believe you’re here, that you came.” She leans back, tilting her head up so our lips are an inch apart. “My white knight.”

“I’ll always come for you, Evangeline,” I murmur.

“I love you,” she whispers as tears fill her eyes once more. She leans in and brushes her lips against mine. It’s a soft kiss, tender with the weight of emotion.

As much as I welcome any chance to kiss my girl, this isn’t really the time, and it’s definitely not the place. I slow our kiss, drawing back slightly and tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her lashes sweep open, and the light gold flecks in her eyes seem to glow in this light.

“I’ve missed you, sugar. Let’s get you home, yeah?”

The corner of her mouth ticks up and her eyes look a little glassy. She wiggles her legs, her arms loosening their hold around my shoulders.

A grimace tightens my forehead. “I can’t put you down yet, sugar. I just—” I sigh, running my palms over her back to reassure myself that she’s really here. “I’m going to be so fucking mad if I wake up and realize that Silas fucking drugged me to sleep.”

I see it the moment it happens. Panic and fear crowd together in her eyes, blowing her pupils wide. “Oh my god, Lincoln. Where’s Silas? And Nova?” she asks, pushing against my chest with both hands.

I release her, reaching out to steady her. “They’re?—”

“Oh my god, where’s Hunter?!” Her voice takes on a thread of hysteria as she spins out of my grip, stumbling slightly in her haste to scan the bathroom. Like Hunter is going to appear behind me.

“Hey, it’s alright, they’re alright.” I cup her face in my hands, tracing the curve of her cheekbone with my thumbs.

Her wide eyes hold mine, and it almost feels like she’s asking to look into my very soul. I fucking welcome the invitation. “All of them? Are you sure?”

I nod and keep my voice low and soothing. “We’re all okay, sugar, I promise. It’s you we’re worried about.”

I thought it would alleviate her worries, but she blinks, and a fresh wave of tears falls from her eyes. “I’m fine.”

I let my gaze roam over her, looking for visible signs of her time away from me. She looks relatively unharmed, but I know from personal experience that sometimes the deepest wounds are the cuts on the inside.

19

EVANGELINE

The plush seats enveloped me in a cocoon of warmth as I settle into Bane’s car, but despite the comfort, I can’t shake off the unease that gnaws at my stomach. I feel unsettled, anxious and jittery like I’ve had too much caffeine on an empty stomach.

The gentle hum of the engine and soft music playing from the speakers should have put me at ease, not to mention the company. I know I’m safe with Bane. And yet, I’m still anxious.

Nothing some sleep and food and time at home won’t help. Like the thought alone summoned it, my stomach grumbles. A few hours ago, desperation and hunger twisted my insides up enough that I found myself breaking the glass on one of the vending machines. I snagged just a few snacks, enough to stave off the hunger pains.

“I grabbed a few things on my way out town.” Bane nods to the drinks in the cupholders and opens the middle console.

I flash him a small smile and lean over, spotting a couple of protein bars, some pretzels, and a pastry bag. I recognize the logo immediately. Sugar and Spice Bakery, the place Cora works at. My stomach pitches and my smile falls from my mouth at the thought of my cousin. I can only imagine how worried she’s been.

“What’s wrong? You feeling okay?” Concern wraps around Bane’s voice as he eyes my forehead. I did my best to wash it off in the restroom, but I was limited to scratchy brown paper towels and watered-down soap.

I clear my throat and waggle the pastry bag. “Be honest, how much has Cora been around, giving everyone a hard time?”

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