Page 93 of His Coveted Obsession

He sighed and nodded. “Okay.”

Beforewecouldheaddownstairs, Dalton stopped me.

“Easton, can I have a private word for a moment?”

“Not now.”

“Yes… now.”

I sighed. “Stay put. I’ll be right back,” I told Thomas.

I really didn’t want to let him out of my sight. He wasn’t himself, and I wanted him back to his old self. Instead, he seemed a little afraid of me, and he wouldn’t stop shaking. Maybe Dalton would have some answers for me on how to fix Thomas.

“What?”

He nodded his head further away from Thomas, but he stopped where I could still keep my eyes on him.

“Be gentlewith him, East.”

“I’m always gentle.”

“No. Not in the sense of touch, but that, too. I mean with your words. You can be very… blunt.”

“But Thomas says he likes that.”

“I understand, but things have changed.”

“How? My feelings toward Thomas haven’t changed.”

“What about how he feels about you?”

“Can you just spill it? Stop talking in riddles. My head already hurts.”

I was getting irritated, not liking being too far from Thomas, as if I moved any further away, I wouldn’t be able to get him back.

“You can be honest, like always, but he needs words of understanding from you. He’s not like you, East. He’s not a murderer, and today, he’s killed someone for the first time. He can’t shut it down like you or Sid. I can see right through Thomas, and at this moment., he’s incredibly stressed. Quite frankly, I’m surprised he’s not in shock. I was informed he also saw Sully’s handiwork. That will traumatize anyone who isn’t a part of this little family. If you aren’t careful, you could lose Thomas.”

I stiffened at that. “But he loves me. He said so earlier.”

Dalton smiled kindly and patiently, but it was clear in his eyes that I was missing the bigger picture.

“That may be so, but that doesn’t mean he’s not afraid. Look, I understand you struggle with empathy. We all accept that and care about you. But you need to find common ground with Thomas. He needs to know you… relate to his trauma somehow. Have you thought about telling him your story?”

“No, I’m not ready for that. That was… different from what I do now.”

“It was personal and emotional. I get it. You don’t have to tell him yet, but you should be fully transparent with him. I have a feeling if he knows your story, he’ll relate to you more, not less.”

“How so?”

“It’s a whole other level of trust telling someone your darkest secrets. Sid told me his story, and it opened the door for us to repair the damage from when we were kids and fell in love. I’m sure it will be the same for you and Thomas. But you also need to be prepared.”

I thought about Dalton’s words. They made more sense after he explained it. “Be prepared for what?”

“That he may leave you.”

I stiffened, and my fingers started tapping to a rhythm I always used, not even recalling where it came from. “He won’t. He loves me. He worships me.”

“That was before he knew you were a hired killer. Come on, East. Deep down, you knew if you told him that, he might leave.”

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