Page 174 of Closer

Chapter 51

Sebastian

Lil’s been wandering the old house for over two hours now. I lean against my SUV, checking the cam feed on my phone again.

Levi said she wanted to do this alone, so I’m gonna let her. But I also promised her that I would be here if she needed me. Thanks to Levi, I can keep that promise.

Honest to God, I don’t know what Lan’s problem is. Okay, maybe it’s because of Anne. But seriously, the only woman that exists for me is Lil.

All my life, it was her.

Up on these stairs was the first time I saw her. All those years ago, when we were kids, she was tumbling out with her hands over her ears, eyes closed and sobbing.

She mumbled something about needing to hide from the monster, her bottom lip quivering between her teeth. I took some steps back and looked for injuries, as I would with Gem. She had some blood on her, and her knee was split open. So, I held out my hand to help her up.

At your service, my princess.

Even then, she had the habit of biting her lip.

That simple gesture was what made me recognize her at the college party. Once she told me her name, it all clicked into place, and after confirming her last name, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was my princess.

Lil emerges from the house, stopping at the top of the stairs and looking down.

Fuck. 2 weeks. 2 weeks since I talked with her in the hospital. 2 weeks of not knowing if I’ll ever see her again.

“Hey.” My voice is rough. “You okay, princess?”

Her eyes find mine, haunted by the wreckage of everything she’s endured, yet somehow softened by a fragile sense of relief. She descends and the shimmer of unshed tears becomes more pronounced, as if she’s on the verge of breaking with each step.

I push off the SUV, shoving my phone in my pocket and striding over. She reaches the bottom and stops a few feet away from me. Close enough to touch, but it feels like there’s still a fucking chasm between us.

“Sebastian.” Her eyes glisten.

I take a tentative step closer, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Princess.”

She bites her trembling lip. That same little gesture I grew to love.

“I’m sorry.” She rubs her eyes. “I don’t know what to do.” Her voice breaks. “How do I ever repay you?”

Fuck it. I close the distance, hauling her into my arms.

Instantly, she melts against me, her face buried in my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Sobs wreck her body, and it breaks my heart.

I hold her close, one hand cradling the back of her head as she cries into my chest. Her tears soak through my shirt, but I don’t give a fuck. All that matters is that she’s here, in my arms.

“You don’t owe me anything,” I murmur into her hair. “I did what I had to do. For you.”

She pulls back slightly, her eyes glistening. “But… but you killed someone. Because of me.”

I cradle her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away her tears. “And I would do it again. I couldn’t let him take you from me.”

Her lips tremble. “I don’t know how to feel. I’m so confused.”

“I know. I know.” I press my forehead against hers, closing my eyes. “But we’ll figure it out together.”

Her hands fist in my shirt, holding on tight. “Promise?”

“I promise. I’m not going anywhere.”

---