Page 87 of Fragile Sanctuary

She let out a huff. “He always tried to lessen my connection to them.”

Sounded like an abuser in the making, trying to isolate Rho from her loved ones. “If he approaches you again, call Trace and then me. You might want to consider an order of protection, too.”

Her brows lifted. “That’s cop-speak.”

Shit.I needed to watch it. “I’ve watched my share ofLaw & Order. Just promise me you’ll tell us if he approaches you again.”

Rho’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t want it to be him.”

My chest constricted. No one wanted to think that someone close to them could do horrendous things. I moved into Rho’s space, unable to resist the pull of her pain. I wrapped my arms around her. “Might not be. But you should keep your distance either way.”

She nodded into my chest.

We stood there for longer than was safe, and if I stayed a moment longer, I’d end up doing something really stupid. So, I forced myself to release Rho. But I didn’t make a move to head for my truck. I simply got the blanket out of the hall closet and headed for the couch.

It seemed ridiculous after the moment we’d shared in the hallway this morning, but I couldn’t risk getting any closer to Rho than I already was.

Rho hovered in the hall, worrying her bottom lip. “You don’t have to stay.”

“I know, I don’t.” I was anyway. Couldn’t get myself to leave her alone here with everything that’d happened. Even if I knew sleeping mere feet from her would be torture.

A little of the tension bled out of her shoulders. “Thank you.”

“G’night, Reckless.”

“Goodnight, Anson.”

Her lips around my name had everything in me winding tight again, but I shoved it all down. Counted to one hundred as she carried the box of kittens down the hall. Biscuit followed her toward the bedroom, and the lights went out. I stared up at the ceiling, listening to every tiny sound from down the hall.

The opening and closing of drawers, the rustling of bedding, the switch of the light. I lay in the dark, listening for anything else. Rhodes tossed and turned a few times, and then there was nothing.

I relaxed a fraction at the lack of sound. She was asleep. It eased something in me, knowing she was at peace. And I didn’t want to look too closely at that.

I thought sleep would be elusive, but it pulled me under, thanks to the lack of it the night before. Dreams swirled in my mind. Some good. Some bad. But all of them had one common thread…Rho.

She haunted me in my waking hoursandin my sleep. I couldn’t escape her. And maybe I didn’t want to.

I didn’t know how long I’d been out when a whine sounded by my ear. I shot up to sitting, my heart pounding against my ribs.

Biscuit let out another whine.

“What’s wrong?” But I was already moving, heading straight for Rho’s room.

The sound of whimpering reached my ears before I’d even rounded the corner. When I hit her doorway, I saw Rho thrashing in the sheets. She was running for her life somewhere deep in her subconscious.

I made it to the bed in three long strides. “Rho,” I whispered, hands going to her shoulders. “Wake up. You’re okay.”

She jolted, her eyes flying open. The moment she took stock of me, those hazel orbs filled with tears, and she threw herself against me.

I caught her with an oomph, arms encircling her. “Easy, now. You’re okay.”

“It was so real. I was trying to get out, but I couldn’t. And Emilia was screaming for help. I couldn’t find her.”

Agony ripped through me at the fear and grief in Rho’s voice, at how desperately she clung to me. I held her tighter against me. “You’re safe. I promise.”

But I knew that was a promise I couldn’t keep. Because I’d failed before, and it was always the people closest to me who paid the price.

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