Page 123 of Unexpected Heroine

Darkness engulfs my field of vision until all I can see is black.

Then nothing.

There’s absolutely . . . nothing.

Chapter 22

Rough nights turn into hard mornings (pun intended)

TOMER

Shit, shit, shit.

What have I done?

“Sugar bear? Can you hear me?”

Her skin is pale. Her eyes are glazed over. Her breathing is shallow and frenzied.

What the fuck was I thinking?

She’s been doing so well all day long. I thought she was okay. And I swear she was.

Until now.

How could I be so foolish?

You fuck up everything you touch, boy.

“Violet, listen to me. Listen to my voice.”

No response.

“Sugar bear, come back to me.”

Again, no response.

All my stupid talk about the traffickers and Lenkov’s organization must have sent her into a full-blown PTSD blackout.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This is so much worse than every other time I’ve said the wrong thing. Done the wrong thing. Hurt someone with my words. Unintentional or not, it doesn’t matter.

Look at my sugar bear. Hurt again because of me.

While struggling to search my memory bank for the best way to handle someone mid-episode, I gently skim my hands along the outsides of her upper arms. Carefully, I help roll her onto her side, facing me. She doesn’t bat me away or struggle.

I cradle her face to my chest and stroke the side of her head.

“I got you, Lettie baby. You’re safe. No one can hurt you now.”

For the next several minutes, I hold her close and keep talking softly. Reminding her she’s safe. Telling her to breathe. Saying my name—both of them.

I don’t know how long she stays in my arms like this. Maybe an hour. Perhaps more.

Seemingly out of nowhere, she goes rigid in my embrace. It’s so sudden it startles me, but I keep my composure and continue speaking calmly to her.

“Lettie baby, it’s me. It’s Tomer. I’ve got you. We’re in my bed. You’re safe. Just breathe. You’re in my house with me. Safe with me. Breathe in and out. Nice and slow. You’re safe. No one can hurt you. I’ve got you, sugar.”