Chapter 24 Bastian
BASTIAN
With my hands on my hips, I stared out the glass sliding door.
Lark was barely visible. She was on my balcony—even though it was cold tonight—enveloped in a blanket that I’d wrapped around her. She was scribbling furiously on her iPad.
Helplessness wrapped itself around my throat. I fucking hated feeling helpless.
But I had no idea how to help her.
We’d come back from the warehouse, and she’d been silent the entire trip. She still wasn’t talking, or crying, or anything.
She was locked in her own world, and I couldn’t make this better.
“How is she doing?” Landon asked from behind me.
I shook my head. “I have no idea. She hasn’t said a word.” I looked at my friend. “Fuck, Landon. Ed knew the man who killed her parents. Hell, he joined up with him and they killed together. This all makes no fucking sense.”
“It’s a lot to take in.”
“How do I help her?” I shoved my hands in my pockets.
“Just be there for her, Bastian. That’s all you can do.”
“She’s used to being alone.” This was from Cole who was leaning against my kitchen island. “When shit hits the fan, she’s only ever had herself to depend on.”
“This is heavy shit to deal with alone,” I said.
“Like I said, she’s only had herself. Now, she has you. Has us. Show her that.” Cole arched a brow. “Without pushing too hard, or ordering her around.”
It was only the two of them here. The others had dealt with collecting the evidence and burning the warehouse down.
“I want this asshole found.” Focusing on my anger was far better than drowning in helplessness. “He corrupted Ed, he destroyed Lark’s entire life, has killed so many people. His reign of fucking terror is over.”
Cole nodded. “Nash is already back with the security team and working on it. We’ll find him.”
“And we’ll stop him,” Landon said firmly.
I released a breath. “Thanks.”
“Georgie sent a message via Nash,” Landon added. “She said if you need a woman’s touch with Lark, just call.”
I liked Nash’s woman even more.
“And to remind you that the Isis and Osiris dress rehearsal is tomorrow and you’ve got to be there.”
Shit. The show was the last thing on my mind.
“Might be good distraction for your woman,” Cole suggested.
“Go to her,” Landon said. “We’ll let ourselves out.”
After they’d left, I watched Lark through the glass. She looked so small and fragile, even though I knew she was strong. I wondered again what she was drawing. I’d caught a glimpse of colors on the screen earlier, but she’d refused to show me.
I opened the slider and gritted my teeth against the cold wind. Lark didn’t look up. Her hand was moving furiously.
I knelt beside her.
Her face was pale and blank. How many times had she sat alone like this, dealing with shit?
“Talk to me.”
She didn’t look up, her hand still moving.
“I’m here, Lark. You’re not alone.”
Her hand paused.
“Whatever you need, little bird, tell me. I’ll get it for you. I’ll give it to you.”
A shudder ran through her.
Then she turned off the iPad and set it aside. I was still insanely curious to know what she was doing on it, but that was for another time.
“Did Ed kill my parents?” Her voice was a shaky whisper.
I reached for her hand. “I don’t think so, baby. He started later. But I think it was his first run-in with his partner. How they first met.”
“This… He killed them. And Ed knew that and still got involved with him. Ed took me in and made me think he cared. Why? Why?” Her voice rose.
I moved, picking her up, blanket and all. I sat, with Lark on my lap, and held her tight. She was stiff.
“I’ve got you. Just hold on to me.”
She made a low sound filled with pain. She burrowed into me and her nails dug into the skin of my arms. I didn’t care. I wrapped myself around her and wished I could take away her pain.
“Everything I had has been ripped away from me. My parents, my childhood, a normal life. I thought I had Ed, but that was a lie.”
“Not everything is gone,” I said. “I’m here. You’ve got me.”
Brown eyes met mine.
“I’m here, Lark.”
She pressed her forehead to mine, her body vibrating with all that pain and anger.
“I need to find him, Bastian. I want answers. Who the fuck is he? How was Ed involved? But most of all, I want to kill him. He won’t tear any more happy lives apart.”
Her words held a fierce edge.
“I want revenge.”
“We’ll find him.”
“He killed my parents. He hurt them.” Her shoulders sagged. “He destroyed my childhood. He killed them and I heard it all.”
Fucking hell. I held her tighter.
A single tear ran down her cheek. I caught it with my thumb.
Whoever he was, he’d pay. With his life.
I hauled her closer. “Just hold on.”