Page 130 of Beautiful Exile

Linc’s thumb traced my jaw, the rough pad assuring me he was there. “You were a kid. You were scared out of your mind and trying to make sense of it all, but your love didn’t kill them. A monster did.”

A hiccuped cry left my throat. “I miss them.”

Linc wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. “Of course, you do.”

My fingers twisted in his tee. “I can’t lose you.”

He held me tighter. “Baby, I’m not going anywhere. If you haven’t noticed, I’m stubborn as hell.”

A cross between a laugh and a cry bubbled out of me. As they eased, I pulled back and forced myself to look into Linc’s eyes. “You almost died because of me.”

He stilled, then his hand lifted to my face, brushing some loose strands of hair away. “And it reminded you of what happened before.”

I nodded, that pain tearing at my insides again. “She was trying to protect me. She didn’t get out in time because she was hiding me.”

Linc muttered a curse and pressed his head to mine. “Should’ve seen that. I’m so fucking sorry. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

My throat tightened as I struggled to swallow. “I didn’t want to love you. I didn’t want to love anyone.”

“I know.”

My fingers tightened in his shirt, the cotton warping around them. “For so long, it was like I was living in exile. This weird in-between. My old life wasn’t mine anymore, but I wasn’t really living the new one either.”

I pulled back, making sure my eyes met his so he could truly see. “You showed me the beauty of that in-between. Showed me I could blend them into something new—something where I didn’t keep everyone at arm’s length, if I was only brave enough to reach for it.”

“Vicious,” he rasped, holding me tighter. “I wish I could erase all the darkness that has ever touched you.”

“You don’t have to. You just have to be with me in it.”

“Sure about that?” Linc asked, leaning to the side to snag a bag from the floor. “Got you something.”

I took the bag, glanced at him, then opened it. “Cowboy,” I croaked, pulling out a small key ring flashlight in a light purple. I traced the curves with my fingers.

“It’s rechargeable. You just plug it in each night with your phone, and your flashlight will never run out of juice.”

My tongue felt heavy, and my throat constricted as I pulled out a pack of four night-lights.

“These are solar, so they’ll charge every day just by being out and light your house anytime it’s dark. They turn on automatically.”

I forced my gaze away from the lights to the man who cared enough to make sure I was never scared again. In every way he could manage. “Linc,” I whispered.

“There’s one more thing in the bag.”

“Stop it.”

His lips twitched. “What’d I do?”

“You’re too amazing. It’s rude.”

He chuckled. “Pull out the pamphlet, Vicious.”

I grumbled something indiscernible under my breath and pulled out what looked like instructions. Then I gaped at him. “You got me a freaking generator?”

“Best on the market. They’ll service it every month to make sure it stays running, and it can power your whole house.”

Tears pressed against the backs of my eyes. “Stop making me cry.”

“Okay.” Linc brushed his lips across mine. “Never want you to feel powerless. Not ever again.”

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