Page 128 of The Thug And His Doll

"Go," Drix says, brushing the tip of his nose against the bridge of mine.

With one final lingering kiss, I untangle myself from Drix's arms, and force steel into my spine as I walk towards Toby and Daisy who are waiting at the top of the stairs.

"Is he?" Daisy asks, her eyes flying over me.

I shake my head. "No, but he's out cold. Drix came. He's here. We're safe now."

Toby pulls his hand free from Daisy's and rushes down the stairs. Hauling him into my arms, I hold him close as he sobs against my chest.

"I heard you screaming, Mama," he cries, his whole body trembling as Daisy drops onto the step beside us.

“Shhh, it’s over, Toby. We’re safe,” I say determinedly.

"I should've come to help," Daisy whispers, her eyes welling with tears as she looks at me.

"No, don't do that. Don't you dare feel guilty. You did the right thing. If Martin had hurt him, hurt you..." My lips tremble as I realise how close I was to losing everyone I love.

"I’m so sorry, Lia," Daisy manages to choke out between sobs, tears cascading down her cheeks as she wraps her arms around me, seeking solace in each other's presence.

"We're going to be okay now," I reassure them both, and as Drix strides to the front door, letting the police in, I really, truly, believe it.

THIRTY-FIVE

DRIX

Staring out of my bedroom window, the sky is a canvas of muted oranges and pinks, the sun just beginning to make its ascent above the horizon.

Behind me Lia sleeps peacefully, her arms wrapped around Toby on my bed. They're both exhausted, emotionally, physically and mentally worn out after a day and part of the night at the hospital where Lia was checked over by the medical staff, and the police had questioned us all about the events that unfolded. She has some deep bruising on her torso, back and cheek from Martin's punches, and a broken rib but no other injuries apart from the ones that only time and love can heal.

Apart from a few unsettled hours, I’ve barely had any rest, watching over them both as they slept. I'd come so close to losing them, and the thought makes my chest ache. Absentmindedly, I reach up and rest my palm over my heart, rubbing the pain that lingers there still.

"Drix?"

Lia's soft voice drags me out of my thoughts as her arms wrap around my waist and she presses her chest against my back.

"I didn't mean to wake you," I reply, twisting in her arms to face her.

"You didn't," she responds, looking up at me.

"How do you feel?" I ask, brushing my knuckles gently against her cheek, my stomach coiling at the deep purple bruise blooming there.

"Better now you're here," she replies, her eyelids fluttering shut as I uncurl my fingers and she leans into my open palm.

"I'm sorry, for everything," I say, dropping my forehead to hers, my heart aching for all that she's been through, that they've both been through.

"I'm not," she replies, tipping her head back so she can brush her lips to mine. "As horrific as this experience has been, it's brought me to you, Drix."

"Lia, I don't deserve you."

"You're wrong," she insists, her voice catching with emotion.

"I would've killed him, you know," I confess. Part of me wishing I had, needing to be completely honest with her.

"I know, but I would never forgive myself if you had. Martin is going to get what he deserves, and that's a very, very long time in prison. He no longer holds any power over me, Drix, and I have you to thank for that."

"How so?"

Lia's eyes meet mine. "Because you gave me the strength to find my own power, to fight back. Being with you, being loved by you has helped me reclaim my sense of self-worth."

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