Page 14 of Shea's Hero

“Shea?” Niall’s eyes meet mine. “What do you think?”

I’m torn.

Part of me wants to just give in. Make him happy.

Then again, what did he tell me when I woke up in the hospital? I can still remember him sitting there with tears in his eyes as he said,“Shea. Please. If there’s ever anything you’re struggling with, just tell me. I won’t be upset. You don’t have to protect me. I’m your big brother. That’s my job.”

“I’m scared,” I whisper.

“Shea, I won’t let those men get to you.”

“Not that.” Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly before explaining, “Attacking a man with a chair? I can do that. Dropping everything to help you or Jade. I’ll do it in a second. But this… Leaving? I’m worried it’ll ruin all my progress. That it’ll trigger me. I’m good when I can control things. But this? I just don’t know.”

“Ah, Shea.” Niall sighs. “I understand why you wouldn’t want to live with people you don’t know. But in Texas, you’d have me. Jade. And you’ve met everyone else there.”

“But my job. I know it’s not important like what you do. But?—”

“Itisimportant.”

“Not like saving people from traffickers and stalkers and crazy dark web games,” I retort. Then I give him a tiny smile to take the edge off it. “I know my life isn’t big and important like yours. But it’s mine. And I… I’m scared to lose it.”

My brother goes quiet for several seconds, his forehead creased as he thinks. “Okay.” A beat, and then more gently, “Okay, Shea. How about this. You stay here. But I’m going tohave every possible security upgrade installed before Jade and I leave.”

“Okay.”

“And,” he continues, “One of the Sleepy Hollow team members will bring you to work and back. If you need to run any errands, go to the counselor; they’ll take you. No going places on your own.”

“Okay.”

“I mean it, Shea. Not even to the grocery store. Not for a walk around the block. You either stay in your house or someone escorts you. I know it’s not ideal, but it’ll keep you safe. And hopefully we’ll figure out who’s behind this soon and you can go back to your normal life.”

Hope kindles, but I tamp it down. “But will they be upset? It’ll be inconvenient, driving to White Plains, taking me to work…”

“No. They will not mind.” It’s quick. Firm. “First, you’re my sister. Which makes you part of the Blade and Arrow family. And second, they’d have to take you to work anyway. It’s not like you live an hour away. It’s not a problem.”

“Okay, Niall.”

“But you promise to follow the rules. And if there’s any problem, anything suspicious at any time, you call Cole. Or the police. Both, actually.”

“I will.” I hug Niall, squeezing him hard enough to make his back crack. “I promise. I’ll do everything you want.”

“And you’ll call me every day?”

“Yes.”

Niall sets me back from him and inspects my face. “Are you really going to be okay here by yourself, Shea? Not the safety stuff, but?—”

“I will.”

“And you’re really alright after seeing Oliver?”

“Yes.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Sighing, he ruffles my hair. “I know you’re lying about Oliver. But I’ll let it go.”

“I’m not.”

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