80. Delaney
CHAPTER 80
Delaney
“ M inx. Wake up, baby.”
My eyes fly wide. Reality seeps into my mind, my frantic heartbeat and pulse still racing like I’m sprinting in a race.
I lift a shaky hand to my sweaty brow, bumping against Zayne’s large, warm hand as he smooths my hair from my forehead, always careful of my stitches.
“It’s okay, minx. I’m here.” He strokes my hair, his intense dark eyes boring into mine. “You had a nightmare.” He presses his lips against mine. “Wanna tell me about it?”
I give him a shaky smile, gratitude filling me. “You’re perfect, you know that?”
“Only for you.” He’s barely suppressing a laugh. “But please tell Jaxson I’m perfect.”
I giggle, already picturing Jaxson’s doubtful face. “Nah. I’ll pass. He’ll say I’m biased.” My eyes move to the fireplace and the small nightlights nearby that Zayne put in for me. “I feel silly needing those.”
“Don’t. You’re not familiar with our bedroom yet, so if you need to get up and use the restroom, those will prevent you from bumping into things.”
I study the furrowed brows and the line in the center of his forehead. His worry line.
Tracing a finger over it, I begin speaking softly. “The sounds of abuse coming from my parents’ bedroom…” I shiver, swallowing hard. “My door was closed, but the noise penetrated everything—doors, walls, my sleep…” I exhale a shaky breath, my chest tightening from the memory of it. “I had a panic attack.”
He strokes my hair, nearly making me purr. “Was it the night you texted me, and I knew something was wrong and offered to drive over?”
I nod.
“The second I read your text saying you’d meet me in the woods, I knew my gut instinct was correct. You were still shaking when you climbed in my truck but claimed it was from your nightmare and being cold.”
“You held me in your arms, and I felt safe and warm. My life raft when everything was turbulent.”
“Always.” He leans over, pressing his soft, warm lips against mine.
Another wistful sigh escapes as I melt against him, my hands trailing over the muscles in his back.
When our lips part, he stares at me so intensely it’s like he can see my soul. “What else happened in your nightmare?”
“It changed to my mom being in the hospital. My father had the nurse inject her with something, and when she left, he pressed a pillow over her face.”
“Oh, minx.” Zayne pulls me in his strong embrace. “That’s your subconscious worried about what he’ll do to your mom because of what’s happened.”
I close my eyes, relishing in the comfort he provides. “You’re right.”
“He won’t hurt her. I have people watching her.”
I pull back slightly, searching his face.
“My ear is to the ground, minx. When Tim and Daniel were nervous over Aidan’s disappearance, I made sure she was safe.”
I nod, hugging him with all the strength I possess.
But I can’t voice my worst fear. I’m not sure you can protect her from him.