Page 146 of The Good Girl

“Take care of yourself.”

He stares at me for a moment before answering softly. “You too, Tink.”

I watch him leave before turning to look at Havoc. It might not be my place to tell Hannibal, but Havoc is a whole different matter. My loyalties lie with this man. Am I worried it will change things between us? No, I know he loves me. I feel it wrapped around me like a child’s safety blanket. No matter how this plays out, he’ll still be mine, and I’ll still be his.

That doesn’t mean I’m not a little wary about how the dynamic might change between him and Lola. I push my own insecurities aside because this isn’t about me. I just hope that when Havoc realizes Lola isn’t the villain here, that she doesn’t become the one that got away.

Havoc leans forward and grabs my hand. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head and offer him a small smile. There is a time and place for this conversation and this isn’t it. “Nothing. I just want to go home.”

He bends his head and kisses the back of my hand as a doctor walks in with a smile on her face.

“Sorry for the long wait. It’s been a crazy couple of days. The full moon makes everyone go a little nuts.”

“I’ll forgive you for anything if you tell me I can go home.”

She chuckles. “Then I have good news.”

I sigh in relief as I half listen to some signs and symptoms to watch for. I know Havoc will be paying attention to every word, so I let my mind drift to my sister and Star and what their futures might look like now they’re free.

“How’s my sister doing?” I ask once she’s finished talking. She gives me a sad look that makes me swallow.

“I’m not her doctor, but I’ve been briefed so I could let you know that she’s doing okay. She’ll need to stay here for a while longer yet. She’s severely malnourished and needs treatment for an infection. Her daughter, though, will be ready to gohome tomorrow. We’d just like to keep her in overnight for observation.”

I fight back my tears and take a deep breath. Amity sits up beside me and leans her head on my shoulder in solidarity. “She can stay with us. If Citi is okay with that, I mean. Right?” I ask Havoc, who squeezes my thigh.

“Of course. She’s family.”

Family. I’ve got my family back. I feel myself start to shake before the first sob slips free. And then I find myself in the middle of a Havoc and Amity sandwich with a side of G and he wraps his hand around mine, making me cry harder.

I’m greeted with hugs and well wishes when we get home which sets me off again.

“I’m getting really sick of crying,” I sniff as Havoc takes a couple of tissues from a box someone tosses at him.

He holds them to my nose. “Blow.”

I don’t even question if it’s weird or not, too emotionally wrung out to sweat the small stuff. Besides, it feels good to be taken care of.

I settle in his lap and look around the room, seeing that most people have moved away to give us some space. Amity walks over with G, who has a tray of drinks in his hand. He slides them onto the table before they both take a seat. Amity passes me a coke before taking a bottle of water for herself.

“We need to get a room sorted for Star. I’m just not sure where to put her. Most of them are soundproof, which is great for not disturbing her, but what if she cries?” Amity bites her lip.

“What about the apartment above the clinic? It’s got two bedrooms, so the three of you could move in there, and that way, Star won’t see or hear anything she shouldn’t,” G suggests.

“I didn’t even realize there was an apartment above the clinic,” I admit and see Amity shake her head.

“Me either.”

“It’s mostly used during lockdown. We can get the bunnies to give it a clean. Me and Amity can go into town and grab some shit for Star. I have no idea what a little girl might need, but I’m sure we can figure it out between us.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Havoc agrees, calling over Lil, who gives me another hug.

“Can you round up a couple of girls and get them to clean the apartment above the clinic? We’re going to be moving in there temporarily with Nevaeh’s niece.”

“Of course. Leave it with me, and I’ll get it sorted.” She hurries off, heading straight for the circle of bunnies near the pool table.

“I can make a list of what Star might need. Any chance I can see the apartment first though?”

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