Page 137 of Oathbreaker

“Usually, I’d discuss the next steps in a treatment plan with my patients present, but Winter wanted me to give you a baseline of information before she saw you. One thing she’s worried about is that you’re angry with her. Are you angry with her?”

Her eyes are hard, and I feel about six years old under her maternal gaze.

“No, ma’am. There are very few things Winter could do that would make me upset with her. I do wish she wouldn’t have run from her security, though. There are things happening—” I pause, and Genevieve raises her eyebrow. I get the feeling that Winter’s filled her in on a lot.

“Mr.Brigham, very little fazes me in my line of work. Sure, I have required reporting for certain documented situations, but,” she lifts her hands. “Do you see notes anywhere? I’m sure the battalion of men you had in my waiting room did a sweep for bugs, right?”

She is correct.

“So, there you go.” She splays her hands out with a bored yet amused look.

“Right.” I swallow. “Things are happening that make it very dangerous for Winter to be out in public. Our home is the safest place for us, but I recognize the need for her to go to other places.” I rake a hand down my face.

Genevieve hums but stays silent.

“I love her very much,” I say. I feel like she’s waiting for me to say something, to land on some critical revelation. “I’ll do whatever is needed to make sure she is okay,” I vow.

She stares at me for another beat. Then she breaks out into a smile.

“Excellent,” she says. “Tomorrow, Winter needs to visit Dr.Greene. I’ve already contacted her regarding a combined treatment plan.”

My head spins. “What’s going on?”

She smiles at me and continues as if I said nothing. “She needs to see me three times per week for the next little bit. I’d love for those sessions to be in person, and I’m happy to come to you in light of everything happening. But if that’s not feasible, she must attend her virtual visits.”

The spinning gets worse.

“I’ll let Winter tell you the rest,” she says. Then she goes to the door. “She’ll be out in a minute.”

When the door snicks shut again, I feel like I just got run through by a tornado.

But when the door opens a literal minute later and Winter walks out, it takes one look at her stricken face for me to jolt out of my chair, bringing her to my arms.

“Sunbeam,” I say into the riot of curls at the top of her head. Her arms hang loosely around me, tightening as she breathes.

Holding her in my arms, I’m able to release the horrific images from Isla Cara and center myself back into the now—a place where it’s just Winter and me.

“I’m really sorry I ran away, H. That was childish of me,” she says, with her face pressed into my chest.

I think for a moment, then say, “I’m just glad you’re safe, baby.”

She finally looks up at me, and I smile at her. Her shoulders drop, the tension in them releasing. “Hi,” she whispers.

“Hi,” I say back, just as softly. Then I kiss her.

It’s sweet, gentle. Comforting for both of us.

“Let’s go,” I say, grabbing her hand. When we’re on the street, she stops short when she sees Rio. In the hours I’ve been inside, Rio’s eye has swelled up and turned a prominent shade of purple.

“Rio!” Winter gasps, walking closer to him. I suppress a growl at her, showing care to another man, but Rio shakes his head and opens the passenger door for her.

Winter looks back at me, her eyes narrowed to slits.

“Fight me about it later?” I say.

She gives me a short sigh and then tries to get into the back.

“No, up front, Sunbeam.” She stops and looks at me, confused.

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