Page 123 of Fracture

I lean over her and brush her hair gently from her forehead. “Whatever you want. Anything, you name it. Smutty books, facials, a fucking week in the Bahamas. Whatever you want,guera. It’s yours.”

“How about a new home?” Her amber eyes are bloodshot, rimmed with purple and yellow, and they begin to shine with tears. “Somewhere far away. Just you, and me, and Levi.”

I sigh heavily and press her hand to my mouth. “That sounds good.”

“Maybe we could live in a big city, huh?” Her fingers stroke my cheek, and tears start to fill my eyes at the touch. “I think I’d like that.”

“I think I would, too.” I raise my eyes back to hers, and shake my head. “I’m so sorry.”

“What for?”

“Not being there.”

“Oh, Dylan.” She sighs heavily. “This isn’t your fault.”

“This was Oswald, wasn’t it?”

She blinks rapidly, her brow furrowing. “Why would you say that?”

“The video he had on his phone, of you.” I hate that I say these words as soon as her mouth drops open in a startled gasp, and she shifts her head on the pillow, avoiding my eyes. “Guera, please don’t turn away from me.”

“How did you know?” A sob snatches away her voice, and her shoulders shake against the bed.

“Did you tell him you were pregnant?”

She shakes her head, still refusing to look back at me. “I wasn’t, I promise. I wasn’t.”

“But he thought you were?”

“He told me to leave you.” She puts a hand to her face and whimpers. “He told me I had to leave you both, so I goaded him. I was so stupid. I don’t even know why I said it.” She turns back to me, wincing as she does. “It was the dumbest thing I could have done, and I don’t know why that was the first thing that came to mind. But I… I wanted them to know there was no way I was letting you both go. It was the only thing I could say, and I’m so stupid.” She presses a hand to her face as she starts to cry, and I gently gather her in my arms.

She feels so fragile, like broken glass, and I don’t want to hurt her. She shakes gently in my arms, tears soaking my shirt.

“I’m so sorry,guera. I’m so fucking sorry I wasn't there to protect you.”

“I was so scared.”

“I know, I know.” I kiss her hair, holding her close and wishing I could protect her from the world and all the hatred and anger that’s pursued her for all this time.

Suddenly, her head snaps up and she looks at me with wild eyes.

“Those men, in the video, Dylan, you have to know, I was so drunk, and I was high, and they… I don’t even remember it really.”

“Hey, no, none of that.” I stroke her cheek, swiping away the tears that won’t stop falling. “Don’t even say anything about that. None of that was your fault.”

“I just wanted you.” Her face crumples and her head falls back against my shoulder. “The whole time, I just wanted you. You were all I could think of. I wanted you so badly.”

The image of Stella’s mouth torn open in a silent plea on that grainy video swims through my mind, and I clench my eyes shut.

“I’m going to make this right. I promise.”

She goes still in my arms, and exhales heavily. “I just want to go. Please, can we just go?”

I stroke her hair as she nestles against my chest, and I know I’m going to lie to her. I’m going to tell her that everything’s going to be just fine, and we’re going to leave. We’re going to find a beautiful apartment in Boston or New York, just the three of us, and live out our days. We’re going to be happy. We’re not going to be pursued by someone’s vengeful family, and Levi and I are not going to have hands stained with blood. We’re not damned. We’re not tainted souls driven by revenge and thirsty for the dying light in the eyes of everyone who ever wronged her.

I know it's a lie. But I’ll say it anyway. Because for once, I know the truth isn’t going to help. It’s never helped me before.

“Guera, you’re going to get better, and we’re going to take you home.”

---