Page 69 of The Eraser

I nod my head in thanks. Fucking praise isn't something I'm used to, especially this type of praise, one that's filled with honest to God respect.

"Let's get this shit cleared up and get you and Denis back to my nieces.”

That's the only place I want to be, with my wife. The woman I love with every fucking breath I take.

My heart, my salvation, my home.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

JESSICA

One month later

Stephen's fingersgently run through my hair. "Are you doing okay, Little Dancer?" he asks softly.

It's been two days since I was released from the hospital. I’m in pain, I’ve had skin grafts, it’s been torture having the surgery and not being able to move. This time is different than the last, but the doctors have done a good job and it’s going to take a while for me to recover. I medically discharged myself, something that Stephen was pissed about, but I couldn’t stay in that hospital any longer. I’ve promised that I’ll continue with the therapy and whatever is needed to get better. I just can’t do it stuck in a hospital bed.

Stephen’s been like a sentry, watching my every move, ensuring that I'm okay. I love that he cares, that he's so attentive and protective. He's even let others around me, which I was quite surprised but happy about. I'm not allowed to move much, something Stephen has taken on board and decided to be my personal carrier. No matter if I need to go to the bathroom, to the kitchen, sitting room, or bed, he's carrying me from place to place, making sure I don't overexert myself.

"I'm good. I'll be glad once I'm able to move around. I miss dancing," I say with a sigh. It's been my constant. Throughout the pain and heartache, through the good times and bad, my dancing was always there, and right now I'm unable to do it.

"How did you manage when you were burned first?" he asks, continuing to run his fingers through my hair.

"I took a lot of pain pills. I needed the escape. It's also why I only did short dances. I couldn't do any more. It probably made my recovery longer, but it gave me something I could do, a way to escape the house."

"You could have gotten sepsis or anything," he says, his voice a little hard.

"I know, but I was young, and I was alone. I needed an escape. I only had Mallory, Stephen, and she was young too."

He sighs. "I know. It fucking pains me that you've been through so much shit."

I press my hand against his chest and lean my head closer to him. "I'm here," I assure him. "Right here with you, exactly where I want to be."

He dips his head and kisses my forehead. "Love you, Jess."

I close my eyes, savoring his words. God, he's the fucking best. "I love you," I reply softly. "Thank you for saving me."

I never did say that before and I feel like it needs to be said. He saved me when I needed it most. I felt as though I was stuck in that house forever with my dad and I just couldn't see an escape. I had planned on running away, but I know my dad would have found me, especially when he had promised me to Fintan.

"Trust me, baby," he says thickly, "I was always coming for you. The moment I saw you, I knew you were mine. I was just fucking trying to keep your innocence intact as long as I could."

"Who'd have thought that the Eraser would have a sweet spot?" I tease lightly.

His brows knit together. "I don't," he says. "Sweet?" he echoes as though it's a foreign concept.

"Okay," I say, pursing my lips. Maybe he's not sweet to anyone but me.

"Callie will be here today," he says, his fingers now massaging my scalp. "She's worried about you."

"I know she is. I'm worried about her too," I murmur, my eyes closing. I'm tired a lot more these days. I find it hard to make it through an entire day without taking a nap or two.

"She's doing okay," he tells me. "Denis is making sure of it."

I nod, glad that she has that. "He made her watch. I hate him so much for that."

He reaches for my hand with his other hand and squeezes it tightly. He's so careful as to not put his hands near my back in case he accidentally jars me or hurts me. He may not think he's sweet, but he is. He truly is and I love him so very much.

"I'm glad he's dead, Jess. Fuck, I wish I could kill him over and over again. Watching you in pain as you recovered from your burns..." He shakes his head. "I'd kill him a thousand times over to take it away."

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