Page 61 of Born into Darkness

She pulls back and swipes at the tears on her cheeks. “I’m fine.”

She gives a soft laugh, trying to make light of her reaction, but I’m not buying it. I want to ask her about it, but I also don’t want to pry and make her talk about something she doesn’t want to talk about.

In the end, she takes the decision out of my hands by kissing me goodnight and making it clear she doesn’t want me to press the issue. I don’t, because I love her too much to cause her pain, and because something tells me this is a wound she wants to keep private, something that will cut too deeply if reopened.

I give her another big hug, whispering that I love her, and then watch her leave. After she’s shut the door behind her, I head to the bathroom and brush my teeth. Leaving my yoga pants and sweatshirt on, I crawl under the covers, and reach for my phone.

After I’d been looked at by Tony, I’d texted my cousins and aunts to let them all know I’m okay and that I’d fill them in on everything after I’d gotten some rest, but I’m not surprised to see several texts from Allie waiting for me. I grin and send her a quick response.

ME:

I’m about to go to bed. I’ll give you all the details tomorrow!

ALLIE:

You’re in love with him, aren’t you? He’s really fucking hot, isn’t he? I can feel the sexual tension between you two from here. Why are you even responding to me right now? Go get naked with that man!

ME:

LOL. Yes, he’s hot. Night, Allie. Love you!

ALLIE:

I love you too, and I’m so glad you’re safe! Now, go jump on that dick!

I’m still grinning when I swipe through my chats and hit Bran’s name. I’d missed our nighttime conversations while I was gone, and when I send him a quick message, asking if he’s still awake, I get an immediate response.

BRAN:

Yeah, I’m up. You okay?

ME:

Yeah, I just wanted to say hello. I missed our late night talks.

BRAN:

Me too. It’s been a hard couple of months. This family doesn’t work so well without you. Dima and I have been spoiling Wallace like crazy, but he looks for you every day.

ME:

That’s so sad. It must be such a blow to Dima’s pride that I’m still his favorite even after being gone for so long.

BRAN:

His pride can take the hit. If you’re not up for it tonight, that’s fine, but I want to know how they took you from the restaurant.

ME:

The waitress drugged my drink. When I went to the bathroom, I got really lightheaded, and she came in. She said she’d help me get back to the table, but instead she handed me off to some guy who was waiting outside the bathroom. He put a blonde wig on me and a jacket, and then he walked out of there with his arm around me like we were a couple. There was a boat waiting at the end of the dock.

He’s quiet for several minutes, and I know he’s beating himself up about the lapse in security, about his inability to see that this was a possibility.

ME:

This is NOT your fault.

BRAN:

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