Page 113 of Property of Bones

The voice is raw, cracking with relief. “Thank fuck. You’re awake.”

The second he reaches me and I see his face in full… I break.

Everything I’ve been holding back…the fear, the fury, the helplessness…it all crashes down like a wave I can’t outrun. My lips tremble. My chest heaves with a sob that rips free before I can stop it. And then another. And another.

Seeing him…really seeing him…shatters the dam I built to survive since Muerte’s men took me and Abby. His face is bruised with exhaustion, his eyes wild with concern, and in that moment I realize just how close I came to never seeing him again.

“I’m safe,” I whisper through the tears, like I still need to convince myself it’s true. “I’m safe.”

Jack drops to his knees beside the bed, one hand cupping the side of my face, the other gripping mine like a lifeline. His forehead presses gently to mine.

“You’re home, baby. You’re home,” he murmurs, voice breaking. “They’ll never get near you again. I promise you.”

I nod against him, sobs still wracking my body even as a strange, quiet peace starts to settle in. I’m not in a hole. I’m not alone. I’m not broken.

Not anymore.

Because I’m here. And so is he. So is Abby.

And that’s all that matters.

“Can I take her home?” Jack asks Patch as I work to get control of myself again.

“I’d rather she not be moved,” Patch replies. “At least not until I can get the scan done.”

Jack nods, then sits gently on the edge of the bed beside me.

“We’ve got Muerte,” he says, eyes locked on mine. “I’m going to make sure he never touches you… or anyone else… ever again.”

I know exactly what he means. He’s going to skin him alive.

“Do you ever make your victims eat their own flesh?” I ask, my voice still unsteady but curious.

His eyes widen, and it makes me smile through the haze of pain.

“Abby and I were hoping you’d make Muerte do that while we were stuck in the dark,” I admit.

“Dark and devious,” Patch murmurs. “I like it.”

Jack chuckles low, shaking his head. “Can’t say I have, baby. But I didn’t know that beautiful mind of yours could be so… creatively cruel. I’m impressed.”

“I’m full of surprises,” I murmur, exhaustion creeping in again. “So… will you? Make him eat himself?”

“Withpleasure,Sunny,” he says, brushing a kiss to my forehead. “Now sleep, baby. You’re safe.”

“I love you, Jack.”

“And I love you too, wife.”

“We’re not married yet,” I mumble, as sleep tugs me under again.

“Soon, baby,” he whispers, voice steady and sure. “Very soon.”

I’m not sure what kind of magic Patch worked on me, but it wraps around my body like a warm blanket. The pain fades. The fear slips away. And for the first time in what feels like forever… I sleep.

Dreamless, painless, and safe.

***Bones***

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