Page 182 of Devoted

“Sorry,” Dahlia said. “We didn’t know his mate was here.”

“It’s okay. I’m glad you came,” Nox said, gripping her shoulder tightly.

“We all are,” Zeke added. He extended the arm not wrapped around me to the demon. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll never forget what you did here today.”

Dahlia eyed Zeke’s hand in disbelief for a long moment before finally shaking it. My mate didn’t stop there, insisting on shaking the hands of each of the demons individually.

‘Don’t let him touch you now. Think of the germs on his hands.’

Ah, there it was.

Zeke tensed, no doubt feeling my anxiety pitch up. “Excuse us.”

He led me away, far enough so that even supe ears wouldn’t be able to hear. “How are you doing?”

“Okay,” I said, tapping my fingers together. “Not brilliant, but that’s to be expected.”

“It is. It’s okay to find some moments harder than others. I’m here for all of them, regardless of what’s going on.”

“I know. ” I kissed him. The urge to ask him to wash his hands was clawing at me, but I refused to give into it. Zeke had been so strong today. He’d pulled back his temper at the hardest possible moment and kept control of it, for me.

Maybe I could do something for me too. Something that was long overdue.

“I might look into therapy,” I said suddenly, surprising even myself. “I think it’s time to give it another go.”

If Zeke was shocked, there was no sign of it. “I’m a huge fan of you doing anything that’ll make you happier and healthier. Do you know what kind of therapy would be best?”

“ERP,” I said slowly. “It stands for exposure and response prevention. It’s not available to me on the NHS, but if I saw someone privately…”

“We can do that.” Zeke’s chest rumbled. “You don’t need to worry about money anymore, Sam. I have so much I could hire someone to live in.”

“Let’s not go that far,” I said in alarm. “And I don’t need you to pay for me. I have some savings.”

“I know I don’t, but I want to.” Zeke rolled his eyes. “What’s mine is yours now, Sam. Do you want me to help you research therapists?”

‘What’s the point? If you talk to a therapist about all this supe stuff, you’ll be institutionalised.’

I groaned, dropping my head against Zeke’s chest. “Fuck. It’s not going to work.”

“Why not?”

I gestured back at the angels and demons gathered on the lawn. White wings mingled with black, countless weapons on display. “How on earth would I be able to open up about all of this without a doctor thinking I’m hallucinating?”

Zeke winced. “That’s a good point. Don’t worry though, I’m sure supe therapists exist. Benji would probably know who we can speak to to find out.”

Benji.That reminded me that I hadn’t spoken to him since the day he’d compelled me, not properly at least. “I’ll ask him. Think you can let go of me for a few minutes?”

“I suppose.” Zeke sighed dramatically as he removed his arm. “I’ll go and wash my hands while you’re doing it, because I know it’s killing you.”

I sagged in relief. “Thank you.”

He called Benji over, waiting until he was on his way before leaving me to return to the house.

“I don’t know what he thinks will happen if I’m not within six feet of one of you for thirty seconds,” I muttered as Benji joined me.

“It’ll probably be a while before he stops worrying.”

“That’s okay.” I watched Zeke look back over his shoulder, smiling reassuringly at him before he disappeared indoors. “I don’t mind.”

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