Page 84 of Shadow and Skulls

Dirk’s head drops. “I’m going to take the heat on this one, so don’t hold back. Do what you gotta do to bring her back to us. She’s come too far for any setbacks.”

Jesse closes her eyes, fighting back tears.

“I love her,” I tell them.

“Nine tomorrow morning,” she manages to grit out before closing her door.

Not waiting for them to pull away, I hurry into the trailer. I take Kelsie straight to the bathroom, turning the shower on. She’s shivering so hard; I can hear her teeth chattering. As soon as it’s warm, I step in, clothes and all.

She begins to cry, and I breathe a sigh of relief. She’s not lost. I press my mouth to the top of her head and continue to hold her as the water pours over us. I’ll stand here all night if that’s what it takes. I’m not letting go until she’s ready.

When the water runs cold, and I lean over to shut it off, she lets her feet fall to the ground. I keep my arms around her until she unlocks her hands from around my neck and pulls away from me. She wipes furiously at her eyes.

I stop her and run a finger along the nasty looking scratch on her face. She stands still as I inspect the rest of her. I find more scratches on her palms. I bring one to my face, pressing my lips to it.

My girl would crawl to the ends of the earth to reach me.

The realization warms my heart.

The problem is … she shouldn’t have to.

Chapter Thirty

Kelsie

Iwatch Tank hang my wet clothes over a rack in the living room as the bowl of soup he put in front of me steams over my face. He takes such great care with each item, making sure it will dry wrinkle free. His gaze meets mine from across the room. He doesn’t say anything, but he does nod toward my bowl.

My fingers wrap around the spoon, the metal cool against the burning pain that still stings my palm from where I fell. I’m not hungry, but he’s being so good to me. I decide to try … for him.

After I take a sip, he goes back to what he’s doing, and then he comes and sits down beside me with a bowl of his own. I pull the t-shirt he gave me over my legs, tucking it under my thighs, feeling shy around him all of a sudden.

I’ve forgotten the way he steals my breath.

He notices, but he doesn’t crack a joke like he usually does. It makes me sad … sadder than I already am.

His spoon clangs loudly against the side of his bowl. He sits back in his chair. “Were you looking for me? Is that how you got hurt?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I cringe, curling in on myself. “I needed you.”

“Come here.”

I’m so embarrassed. He must think I’m a child.

“Now.”

The way my foot stomps down as I stand doesn’t make me look any less childish. He chuckles and pulls me onto his lap.

“I’m sorry they dumped me off on you,” I say, tucking my face under his beard.

“I should spank your ass for that, because you know better. But I understand your hurt isn’t because you’ve lost faith in me; it’s because you just lost someone you loved.”

His thumbs rub lightly over my thighs as I sit up and stare at him. He’s right.

“I needed you,” I say more confidently. “I felt like I was going to fall apart. There’s just too much … it’s so heavy,” my voice cracks as his hands come to my cheeks.

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