Page 144 of His Secret Gift

She shakes her head. “I think they’re mostly just surface wounds from when I was pushing him away from me.”

Seconds later, Bryant comes out again and looking completely unscathed.

“It’s done.”

I pat his shoulder. “Good man.” I then put my arm around Kayla, and the four of us make our journey out of the building.

“Should we call the police?” Callie asks when we get outside.

Bryant and I exchange looks before I answer, “No.”

She looks stunned. “Are you kidding me? You’re just going to let him get away with—”

“Trust me.” The Greek police have had a long history of corruption, and I don’t want this somehow spinning out of control. Yannis is a popular person in these parts, so I have no doubt he could point the blame on Kayla.

With that, Callie doesn’t say another word about it.

“Do you want to stay in our room tonight?” I inquire to both women, assuming they’re both feeling rattled by the events of the evening. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ll get much sleep if Kayla isn’t right next to me.

“I’ll sleep on the couch, you can have my bed,” Bryant offers to Callie.

Ever the gentleman.

“Yes, please,” Kayla mutters.

“What she said,” her friend agrees.

“Then, so it shall be.”

We ask a woman at the reception desk for clean linens, and then Bryant and I change his bed while the girls go in their rooms and change. I also want to give Kayla a little bit of privacy in case there are things she feels more comfortable sharing with Callie than me. I mean, I have no idea what went down in that apartment. But at least I know he didn’t assault her. I’m incredibly proud of her for being able to fend him off.

After they come back in their pajamas, Callie mumbles “Thank you so much for this,” before crawling into bed.

“Of course.”

Then, Kayla and I snuggle in mine. It feels amazing to know she’s safe.

“How are you doing?” I whisper, caressing her face.

She sighs. “Still reeling a bit.”

I then kiss her forehead. “I’m sure.”

I see another tear fall. “I swear, I thought I was helping you.”

“Shhh. That’s talk for another day. For now, just rest.”

She turns her back to me, and I scoot closer.

Eventually, her little coos and deep breathing lets me know she’s asleep, so I let myself drift off as well.

Chapter 44

Petrichor – Kayla

Surprisingly, I was able to get a great night of sleep, and I didn’t have nightmares of what happened to me.

So, I wake up feeling refreshed and mentally clear.

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