Chapter Thirty #2
“I know you can, and I'm asking you not to. What you’ve done, bringing this stuff up, is plenty.” Her brows shoot up to her hairline, and I can see the fury she wants to lash out at me, but I put a hand up.
“It ain’t because I don't want you to, it’s because this is what I’m good at. Who takes care of you?”
She makes Damon’s name sign.
“Exactly. I’m her Damon. Not saying Maks doesn’t help; I’ve just done this longer than he has, alright? I’m an expert at all things Sabrina.”
Again, fury crosses her face.
“I’m an expert at all things Sabrina post-Kane.”
Her hands fall to her sides, and she lets out a sigh so deep it ends with an annoyed groan.
She closes her eyes and a lone tear falls.
More tears well into her eyes as she raises her hands between us.
I hate this for her. I really was trying to kill Kane for her.
I would have. I hate that I wasn't there for her.
I hate that she was alone with him for so long.
I chuckle at that. “Oh, but you were, little night raider, giving her your lucky balaclava. I hope you know you’re probably never getting that back?”
She grins sheepishly and lifts a shoulder, letting it drop. I don’t need it anymore. Sofia is gone. Dust. I believe the rest of my demons will slowly but surely disappear, too.
I nod. “Then you understand I gotta make sure a lot of her demons hush down, too?”
She nods, then opens her arms and steps to me, wrapping her arms around my torso.
Mine go around her shoulders as well, and she gives me a tight hug, the kind my baby sister Rory gives me.
I kiss the top of her head. When she pulls away, she wipes away the remainder of her tears. “I’m glad… it’s… you.”
I put a hand on her shoulder and huff out a laugh. “I’m glad it’s me, too, sis. Give me a few hours and then you two can compare murder notes, okay?”
She tips her head back and laughs, throaty and almost giddy.
I would say she’s demented, but then again, after what she went through, who wouldn’t be?
She stops laughing abruptly and waggles her brows at me.
“I’ll be w-waiting…” she singsongs creepily, turning to head out of the room, closing the door behind her.
“Christ,” I mutter, going back to the bathroom, grabbing the stuff from the counter and heading to the large clawfoot tub to get Sabrina’s oat milk bath ready.
I turn the faucet on and start pouring in the oat milk when it’s close to halfway.
I hear the shower turn off behind me, and I turn in time to see Sabrina step out, flesh pink, and hair slicked back. “Christ.”
Jade eyes find mine, and it feels as though she’s tugging an invisible chain strapped around my heart, begging me to come closer, to never go away, to never leave her, and I silently make that promise.
Every day I will make that promise. I go to her, uncaring that she’s wet and I still have yet to take my shower.
I wrap my arms around her slippery waist, groaning when I cover her lips with mine, let my hands roam from her ass up to those dripping strands, and tangle my fingers in them.
My heart expands and shudders with every beat, losing myself in the saltiness of her tears mingling with the taste of her lips and tongue on mine.
I pull away only to tell her I love her, then kiss her deeper until the tension in her body slowly evaporates and she’s melting into my kiss.
When she’s pliable and shivering slightly, I move and tip my forehead against hers, cupping her face in my hands, rubbing my thumbs over her chin and under her jaw.
“I love you so fucking much, Bri. Being away from you almost ripped me to fucking shreds. Having to leave you there—fuck—” I sniff— “I almost lost my goddamn mind. I tried to get back to you as fast as I could. The sadness in your eyes…” My lungs and heart collapse into themselves.
“It hurt almost as much as having to give you away to Maksim.” I plant my lips on her forehead in a chaste kiss and shake my head.
“I swear to god, Sabrina, if you ever fucking run away from me and into a warzone again, I’m gonna spank you so hard you won’t be able to sit for a month. ”
Her exhale is slow, but then, “Do you promise?”
“Yes,” I growl a little too quickly. “Now get your ass in the fucking tub so you can start to heal.” The words cling to the air, sticky, thick, and completely necessary.
She does as she’s told and hisses when the milky water touches her skin.
“Let me shower and I’ll be right back to help you, okay? Just… rest.”
I move a few things around, grab a small hand towel, roll it up, and put it behind her neck.
Tears start streaming down her face again, and I know she's processing everything she has to in her own way, but it doesn’t mean I need to leave her alone.
She needs space, but not privacy. I can do that for her.
I take my shower, letting today’s grime roll off my body along with every emotion I've been holding back for the past three weeks.
I put my hands against the tiled wall and let the water run over me while I feel everything.
Then, because I have to, I get myself right so I can tend to my girl.
I am alive. Though I've been through the valley of the shadow of Death, I have conquered evil and have no fear.
Demons see me rise and seek refuge. Though I am but a man, I am greater than the shadows that perch themselves above me.
They do not have access to my mind nor my soul.
I am the unconquerable. My demons fear me…