Page 65 of Twisted Devotion

“Shh,” he coos, smoothing his hand down the back of my head, holding me to him. “Just breathe.”

He has no idea that he’s keeping me together. His words, his grip on me, his very presence.

It simultaneously brings me comfort and terrifies me, but my head is too full of anger and despair over Kyle to pay it much attention.

In this moment, Jackson Hawthorne is my anchor.

20

The time between pulling over and getting home is hazy.

Jackson offers me a sedative when we get back to the house, and I accept it without hesitation. Everything after that is unclear at best. He has to help me upstairs due to the fog in my head making my legs unstable and my vision wonky.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs, scooping me up and holding me to his chest as he walks up the stairs. He pushes my bedroom door open and walks through the dark space, over to the bed where he lays me down gently.

I start pulling off my clothes, groaning in frustration when I can’t get my bra undone. “Help.”

Jackson chuckles softly, helping me out of my clothes and into pajamas. His eyes don’t linger anywhere; they stay on my face, which makes my chest tighten.

He cares about me.

“You shouldn’t look at me like that,” I mumble, rolling away from him once he pulls the covers over me.

The bed shifts under him as he sits on the side. “And how’s that?”

“You know how,” I say around a yawn.

“Would you like to hear me say it, Red?”

My heart races. “Why? Scared the big bad wolf is gonna find me next?”

Jackson goes very still. “Kelsey,” he says, waiting for me to look at him. I roll onto my back and turn my face toward him. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.” He leans forward and cups my chin. “I don’t give a shit what our roles have been over the last several weeks. I’m going to keep you safe no matter what. You understand me?”

I nod in his grip. “Kyle was all I had left of my human life,” I whisper. “I have nothing now.”

His eyes study mine, and he shakes his head. “You have me.” He moves his hand from my chin to my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “Sleep now. We’ll figure everything out in the morning.”

“Will you stay with me?” I ask before I can feel weird about it.

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “Of course.” He removes his shoes and slides back on the bed, lying next to me.

I tuck myself against his chest and close my eyes before I realize that while I told him we’dnevershare a bed, after tonight, we’ll have both slept in the other’s.

The next morning, I wake up and immediately reach for Jackson, but he’s not there. Panic grips me, and I throw the blankets back, getting out of bed and hurrying down the hall. Voices carry up the stairs, too many to focus on when I’m still so groggy.

Stepping into the living room off the foyer I find Tristan, Aurora, Nikolai, Skylar, and Jackson sitting around the room with grim expressions.

“Hi,” I say, suddenly feeling awkward, as if I interrupted something important.

“Hey, Kelsey,” Aurora says in a gentle tone, offering me a smile. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine. Ready to handle these monsters. That’s what you guys are discussing, right?” I’m ready to dive in and get justice for my family. My fists are itching to fight.

Jackson sighs. “I think it’s best if you sit this one out, Red.”

I whirl on him. “What?”

“You’re in danger,” Nikolai cuts in.

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