Page 102 of Vengeful Union

Chapter Twenty-Nine

29

LARA

I hatethat I can’t stop shaking, that every step toward the Murphy mansion makes my feet feel heavy and numb. I want to run in the other direction. And maybe I would have, if it wasn’t for Rory.

I hate everything about this house except for Rory’s bed. Everything feels so cold and unfeeling, not at all like my father’s warm house.

A wave of missing Da, missing my family, makes me almost dizzy, and I brace myself against the door.

“Are you all right?” Rory’s voice comes from behind me, and I nod quickly, moving forward so he can come in behind me.

There’re no guards in sight, which seems a little strange. I guess Niall knew how upset Rory would be at the “test,” so he made everyone scarce.

I don’t feel grounded until I’m in Rory’s room, and then my shoulders slump. I’m trying so hard not to fall apart, because I know how much Rory must be hurting.

His father isn’t like mine. His father doesn’t love, or at least if he does, it’s a twisted kind of love.

My father’s always showered me and my siblings with affection and praise. He’s always supported us, even if the activities he participates in outside of the household aren’t exactly saint-like behavior.

I can’t begin to imagine what Rory is going through.

He plops down on the end of the bed, looking down at his hands as if they’re covered in blood.

“Baby.” I walk up to him and put my hand on the back of his neck, threading my fingers through the long hair there. It’s grown out a bit since I met him. “Why don’t we take a shower?”

He looks up at me with tired eyes, but nods, his shoulders still slumped.

I take his hand and tug him up, leading him to the bathroom and starting the water.

“Hot,” he rasps as I start to turn the cold water on.

I bite my lip, knowing this is likely a reaction to the trauma, but I still only turn a little cold water on.

The spray is almost scalding, but it’s what he needs right now.

I unbutton his shirt, slowly undressing him while trying to keep eye contact.

Rory’s eyes seem distant, far away, almost glassed over. It worries me.

I push off his shirt but when I start to unbutton his pants, he covers my fingers with his own and does it for me, dropping them to the ground along with his boxers.

I undress myself.

Rory steps in first, pulling me along with him and taking the brunt of the hot water.

I try to give him some space at first, but he must see on my face that I’m worried.

“I’m okay,” he says softly, pulling me closer, and his chest is so warm from the water that it nearly burns my cheek.

I don’t pull away, though, needing the closeness. Tears spring to the backs of my eyes, and I’m not sure why.

“I was so scared.” The whisper comes out of my mouth, but I can’t believe I said it out loud.

Rory needs me. I can’t break down.

“I'll never let anything happen to you."

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