Page 51 of Hollyhocks

“I’m sorry, Heather. I’m so sorry,” I say with profound regret. “I’m worried. I’m scared. I can’t let anything happen to either of you. You’re all I have. Is Eli okay? Can I help him in any way? I love him, Heather. You know that and you know how Dad is. I just want you both protected. I shouldn’t have moved away and left you two there. I should have brought you with me. That was selfish of me.” Tears burn my eyes as regret slithers its way inside me, replacing my blood with terror.

“You did the right thing, Fitz. Rhett was kidnapped and he needed you when you found him. Dad doesn’t know where we are, remember? If he is trying to find me, he will have a hard time. We will get to you, but Elijah’s health comes first. I have packed our bags. They are in the car. I’ll keep you updated, okay? I promise.”

“Every few hours, Heather. Please.”

“I can’t check in when I’m sleeping,” my sister teases, trying to lighten the mood.

I roll my eyes, wishing she could see me. “You know what I mean.”

“I’ll call you in the morning. The security system is on. Gary is on standby.”

“I know you did not just say your damn chihuahua is on guard watch. What is he going to do, Heather? Bite their ankles?”

“Have you had your ankle bitten? It hurts, you know.”

“You should have gotten a bigger dog.”

“Nothing is bigger than Gary’s spirit. You should know that, Fitz.”

Holly snickers behind me. I peek over to try to look at her, but she buries her face in my back. By the sound of it, she’s inhaling. Is she smelling me?

“Who is that? Do you have a girl over there?”

Oh. No.

“Where did you meet? What’s her name? What does she do? Do you like her? What’s she look like? How long have you been seeing each other? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me—”

“—Okay. Love you, byeeeee,” I singsong, hanging up the phone before she can say another word.

This time, I’m careful when I set my phone down, so I don’t break it.

“Sorry about that,” I mutter, twisting around in her arms.

I place my hands on her hips. My thoughts are running a million miles an hour. Could we make this work? Could I? Could I love her even though she is human? Is it fair to her if I try?

“You love your sister and your nephew very much. It’s okay. I understand. I know what it is like to care for someone so much that you would kill to protect them.”

“Do you?” I slip my hand to her neck, wrapping my fingers around her slim throat with delicate ease. I’m careful. I don’twant to hurt her. I crowd her against the counter, caging her with my weight so she can’t get free. “I know I don’t seem like the killing type, but I would. I love fiercely, Wildflower. I’m picky with who I give my heart to. I don’t let just anyone in.”

“I think you’re wrong. I think you let everyone in, but you pick and choose between who to love and who to be kind to. There is a difference. Not everyone is deserving of your love. Not everyone is deserving of your kindness and yet, you give your kindness away to everyone.”

“I don’t like that you know me so well and we barely know each other.”

“I know you better than you think, Fitz.” Her gaze switches from me to the clock. “It’s getting late. Want to put on a movie until we fall asleep?”

I yawn just as she says that. “I’m not sure if I’ll make it through the entire movie. I’m beat. It’s been a wild day.”

“Let’s tame it then.” She tugs me to the couch from the kitchen, the corner of the counter grazing my hip.

I swallow the bite of pain as it scratches me.

“Lead the way, Wildflower.”

When she turns to me, her human face is gone, and all I see is what I’ve been dreaming about.

A gorgeous beautiful monster with glowing orange eyes, horns, lavender skin, and fangs.

I’m completely in love with my delusions. All I want to do is dream so I can experience her again.

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