Page 92 of Soft Tissue Damage
At home, Cullan takes me inside through the garage door and into the kitchen. “I need you to take a nap for me. I know it’s probably the last thing you want to do right now, but when you wake up, Rosie will be here, and she’ll need you.”
“I’ll try my best,” I promise. “What about you?”
“I’ll sleep later. After I fetch Rosie, there are some things I need to do. Don’t worry about me, I’m used to dangerous, sleepless nights.” He kisses me. “But you’re pregnant with my baby, so I need you to rest. Promise me you’ll try?”
I feel very warm and protected hearing him say that. “I promise. And thank you,” I tell him, seizing his hands. “Words can’t explain how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me.” From tying my shoelace in Archer’sDiner the first day I met him, to saving my life in Fenton, to helping me cover up my aunts’ murders.
“Elena, my heart is full of nothing but love for you. Let’s get you to bed.”
I don’t expect I’ll be able to sleep very much as Cullan tucks me into bed wearing one of his T-shirts, which is soft from going many times through the wash, but as soon as he switches the light off, exhaustion overwhelms me.
I wake sometime later to the sound of Rosie’s happy chattering and Cullan’s deep, amused voice answering her. The sound of their voices soothes me. Maybe now things can get back to normal, or rather, we can begin a new normal where I’m free from my aunts, living a life where Cullan and I are finally allowed to plan our future.
Cullan comes into the room, sees I’m awake, and kisses me. “Good morning, darlin’.” Then he moves to the wardrobe and takes down two overnight bags.
“Why are you packing?” I murmur sleepily.
“Because I have to go away for a few days.”
I sit up with a gasp. “What? Why?”
How far?
What if he never comes back?
I get up and pad over to him, and I realize he’s packing a bag for me as well as himself. A bag full of Rosie’s things is standing in the hall.
Cullan presses his lips together. “I’d rather not say for now. Will you look after Rosie for me?”
“Like she’s my own.”
“She is your own, darlin’. You and me, we’re a family now.”
Hearing him say that brings tears to my eyes. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”
Cullan kisses the tears from my lashes, and whispers, “In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I’d be helping the love of my life cover up a double murder while she knew all about my crimes. What a match we make.”
I hold tight to the man I love. “Where you’re going, is it dangerous?”
“Not for me. Not if I’m careful.”
I relax a little hearing him say that, but I don’t miss the implication that he’s going to be doing something illegal. Something he could be arrested for and taken away from me for a long, long time.
But I put my faith in Cullan that he knows what he’s doing and that being parted from him is necessary.
An hour later, we pull up at a pair of wrought iron gates that mark the entrance to a grand property in Henson.
Cullan turns to me. “This is where Tyrant and Vivienne Mercer live, and they’re expecting you and Rosie. I would not leave you two behind unless it was absolutely necessary, and I would not hand the two of you into Tyrant’s care if I didn’t know you were one hundred percent safe. He will protect you like you’re his own. This property is as secure as my home. I designed the security myself.”
I hold Cullan tight and close my eyes, basking in the warmth and love of his assurance. “Thank you.”
“I hope you and Vivienne will be friends. You may tell her and Mercer as much or as little about what has happened between us as you choose. The murders. The baby. Me. You. They are on our side.”
I’m surprised but grateful to hear that I won’t have to pretend everything is normal—like I didn’t just murder my aunts and find out Cullan is the Red Mask Killer.
He drives up a long driveway toward a beautiful gothic house surrounded by high hedges. The front door opens, and a beautiful young woman appears. Her hair is in a half ponytail secured by a black bow, and she wears a pretty lace blouse and knee-length skirt. This must be Vivienne.
I turn back to Cullan for a final, desperate kiss. “I’ll miss you.”
