"What's the surprise?" I ask apprehensively.
Declan steps aside for me to enter the room and then closes the door behind us.
"Sit," he says, gesturing toward the bed.
I do as he asks, and he begins rifling through a bag next to the TV. He takes out a book, hands it to me, and then lies across the bed beside me.
"It's a first edition," he says. "I found it at the thrift store."
I hold the copy ofLet the Right One Inin my hand. "It's beautiful," I tell him. "Thank you."
"I should have let you grab some more books before we left," Declan says. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I have the Kindle app on my phone."
"Not the same, though, is it?" he asks. "You're always reading from hard copies in your videos."
"Yeah, someday, I want to have my own library like yours."
"You already do," he says. "What's mine is yours."
"Well, thanks. Um, I guess I should—"
"Read it to me, Teagan," Declan says.
Go.That's what I was about to say—I should go.
"I marked the spot where you left off. I like the way your voice sounds. Please?"
"Okay," I say softly, uncomfortable but also not sure I have a choice.
I pull my legs onto the bed, recline against a pillow, and then open the book to the place he'd marked, and begin reading.
Declan lays his head in my lap and wraps an arm around my thighs. I pause, holding my breath.
"Keep going," he says, closing his eyes.
I read a couple of chapters, and then I guess I must have fallen asleep because when I open my eyes, the room is dark, and I'm under the covers next to Declan, his warm breath on my neck.
I panic and slowly slide out of bed, then grab my purse and leave the room, closing the door softly behind me. Then, I walk to the room three doors down and tap my key, unlocking it.
Luca is asleep next to River and Hazel. I consider leaving, unsure if I'm intruding, but instead, decide to stay on the couch. I slip out of my skirt and into a pair of shorts and lie down.
"Teagan," Luca says, his voice raspy with sleep. "Come here, baby."
He pulls the covers back, and I crawl into the space between him and River. He wraps me in his arms and kisses me on the forehead.
"You feel so perfect in my arms. I lo—" he starts.
"Settle down, Luca," River says. "Let her sleep."
But I don't think I would have minded so much to hear it this time.
"Good night, Teagan," he says.
"Good night," I whisper. I kiss him on the lips, then lie down on his chest, exhaling slowly. I close my eyes and easily slip back into a deep sleep.
And when I dream, I dream of Declan…smiling as I slit my own throat.