Page 118 of The Villain

I huff a laugh and go into the living room. I set the boxes side by side in preparation.

“What are you doing?” Tera asks as she resettles on the couch.

“Giving Shade Christmas early,” I smirk.

She grins and gets her phone out as Trevor sits beside her to rub his leg.

“Ibuprofen. Bathroom.”

“On it,” Tera chirps, gives Trevor a quick kiss and leaves the room, leaving her phone in his hands.

He clears his throat and I glance up, finding his attention on me with a frown.

“Is Shade forcing his way into your home?” He sounds so grim and his lips are turning into a scowl. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“No.” I go back to what I was doing, getting things arranged as if the boxes are around a Christmas tree.

“We’d back you up if you needed him out.”

“Why would I want him out? I just lured him in.”

“What?” He looks confused, then concerned. “Should I be more worried for Shade?”

He sounds like the idea is ludicrous. It is. He’s mine, I won’t hurt him. Even if Tera lifted all my bans.

“Ask Shade,” I shrug.

Tera makes it back in before he can say anything else.

“For you,” she gives him a grin and hands him her ginger ale.

He blinks in surprise as he takes the medicine.

“South has a few pins in her leg too. Not as bad as yours but she knows the signs. How come you didn’t teach me how to take care of it before, South?”

“I can deal with it,” I tell her, like I always have.

He looks at me in surprise. “How did you manage that?”

“I walked on it after it was broken.”

“Dumbass,” he mutters and pops the pills.

I shrug.

Tera chews her lip, looking sad. She knows what I’m talking about. It’s bringing up bad thoughts for her.

When Trevor glances up to give her back her drink she shakes her head at him and starts clutching her throat.

“Asher,” he calls calmly and holds his arms open for her to drop onto him, regardless of the pain in his leg.

Asher comes in at speed and starts talking to her softly. Comforting her. She mutters something to them both. Asher and Trevor turn to look at me with surprise and pity.

“What?” I take in their expressions but I’m focused on the odd meltdown that just happened in front of me. Was this what she was talking about dealing with? Is she afraid?

“Nothing,” Asher clears his throat and shakes his head. He and Trevor exchange a look as Tera settles down.

“What do you need?” I ask Tera, who gives me a weak smile. My eyes narrow on her. She better not start crying with that smile.

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