Page 72 of Done Waiting

His words hit me hard as I turn around, looking at her through the window. She laughs at something Abby says, then her eyes meet mine.

Turning away, I stare at the thick forest stretching around my house.Fuck. How did everything get so complicated?

Jason pats my shoulder. “See what I mean?”

My eyes cut to his and I shoot him a glare, not saying anything.

He laughs, shaking his head. “Fine, asshole. Live in denial.” His voice cuts off, a worried look on his face. “I’m not sure what her relationship is with the Ice Queen, but you need to consider that.”

With a heavy sigh, my gaze moves from his to the woods. “I know.”

He leans in. “If it comes down to it and you have to let this go for her… Well, some things are better left in the past so you can have a better future.”

I turn my head, studying him. With a sigh, I pat his shoulder. “I’m not willing to give up on the idea of my revenge just yet. Let’s just see where things go and what I can find out now that she’s here with me.”

“You have no intention of letting her go, do you?” The smirk on his face tells me he already knows the answer.

“No way in hell, brother.” Turning around, I watch her through the window as she throws her head back, laughing at what Abby said. “I’ll never let her go.”

Maddie is wearing one of my t-shirts that she requested I get for her, her warm body curled against up, my front to her back, as she peacefully sleeps. I nuzzle against the side of her face, happiness blooming through my chest when she lets out a content sigh that causes the blood to flow faster inside my veins.

Although I’m exhausted, I can’t get that same peace. I’m too fucking terrified of my nightmares, especially having one while lying in bed beside her. But there’s no way I could leave her alone. Her terrified eyes filled with tears when I tucked her in and took a step back to leave. She sat up, gripping the covers, red-faced from embarrassment, before pleading with me to crawl in bed with her. My resolve caved. Whatever my Baby Girl wants, she gets.

Sighing, I bury my face in her hair, breathing in her scent. It calms my pounding heart and aching body.

After what seems like an eternity,my eyes grow heavy, and finally, I succumb to exhaustion, feverishly hoping I don’t have any nightmares before I drift off.

But it’s not me that has a nightmare tonight.

It’s Maddie.

It seems I’ve just fallen asleep when she trashes against me, hitting my chest. My eyes snap open, and I blink from the bright light filling the room. Maddie’s body is sprawled over mine, her head on the right side of my chest as she jerks and twitches.

I’m about ready to wake her up when she screams, rolling beside me to her back and bolting upright.

Sitting beside her, my hand gently rubs her back. “Maddie, it’s okay. It was only a dream.”

She turns her head, tears streaming down her face. Shaking it frantically, she says, “I-It w-w-wasn’t a d-dream.” A sob comes out and she presses her hand over her trembling lips.

“Baby Girl.” My hand cups her cheek, wiping away the tears that fall. “I’m here.”

She throws herself against me, climbing onto my lap. Her tears soak my skin. “I need you.”

Stroking her hair, I press kisses to the top of her head. “You’ve got me, Baby Girl. I’m not going anywhere.”

Her fingers dig into my skin, gripping me tighter, as she clings to me.

God, she’s afraid of being abandoned. I’m acutely aware of that feeling from my past. It’s the most wretched thing to experience, having everyone in your life abandon you, even if it’s unintentional. It breaks your trust, destroying your self-worth.

Tightening my arms around her, I gently rock her until she stops sobbing. When her cries change to hiccups and she pulls away, wiping her eyes, I study her bloodshot eyes and blotchy skin. “Do you wanna talk about it, Baby Girl?”

She stills, cocking her head.She melts whenever I call her Baby Girl.

“I’m so fucking sorry, Jagger,” she says by way of explanation. I’m puzzled by her apology until she whispers, “I know who the killer is.”

Oh shit.My muscles tense, waiting for her to say more.

“It’s Ben.”

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