Page 106 of The Devil's Torment

“Get the door, Barron,” Nicholas snaps, even though his bodyguard already had it half open. “She’s cold.”

I reach behind me and touch his hand. “I’m fine. Stop fussing.”

“Never going to happen.” He takes hold of my elbow and helps me to my feet. I’m wobbly after all that time in bed, my muscles not quite atrophied but far weaker than they were. I’ve a lot of work ahead of me to regain the strength back in my legs, but I’ll get there.

When the car draws to a stop outside Oakleigh’s impressive front entrance, there’s a small welcoming party waiting to greet us, although my parents aren’t among them. Their relationship with Nicholas remains strained, and while I love how he’s always on my side, it can’t have been easy for Mum and Dad having both me and Beth undergo surgery at the same time. Mum’s trying to be more effusive with her love and equal with her attention, but I see now what she meant about Beth. I have always been the strong, independent one, while Beth is mentally weaker and needs more support.

Oddly enough, now that I have Nicholas, it doesn’t bother me the way it used to before. It could also be that a near-death experience has changed my outlook on life. Whatever the reason, the belief that I’ve always been second best in their eyes has faded somewhat. It doesn’t take away the years of hurt when I thought they loved my sister more than me, but I understand them better than I used to.

Penny flies at me the moment I enter the living room of our apartment, a blur of white fluff. I pick her up and cuddle her. “She’s grown so much. I wasn’t sure she’d remember me.”

“I put one of your shirts in her bed.” Nicholas ruffles the top of Penny’s head. “Think it’s worked.”

I set her down, and she toddles off, bottom waggling, and picks up a chew toy.

“And just like that, I’m replaced.”

Nicholas’s arms come around my waist, and he props his chin on my shoulder. “You’ll always come first with me.”

My heart flutters. He’s said it before, but I still feel the need to check. I twist in his arms. “You mean that?”

“I do.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Are you hungry?”

“A little. I’m more tired, and I really want a bath.” The hospital only had a shower, and I’m dying to sink into a bubble bath and let the water soothe away some of the horrors of the past few weeks.

“Bath, food, then bed.” He releases me and strides into the bedroom.

I sink onto the couch and close my eyes. The doctor warned me I’d be more fatigued than normal for a few weeks and that I may suffer from nightmares or insomnia. He’s given me a bunch of other signs to look out for, side effects of having sepsis. One of them, believe it or not, is kidney failure.

I’m trying not to panic too much about that. Imagine the horrific irony of donating a kidney to my sister only for the one I have left to fail.

The scent of eucalyptus and vanilla drifts through the bedroom and into the living room. Moments later, my husband appears. Without saying a word, he scoops me up and carries me into the bathroom.

“I can walk, you know,” I protest, even though I love him carrying me.

“Shush.” He sets me on the edge of the bath and proceeds to undress me. The four small incisions from where they took my kidney are virtually healed, and the bruises from the cannula for the daily draws of blood are already starting to fade. After tying up my hair, he takes my hand and lowers me into the water, then takes his clothes off and tucks in behind me. His legs encircle mine, and he hooks his feet over my ankles and slides both his arms around my waist.

“Water warm enough?”

“It’s delicious.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “As are you.”

He chuckles. I haven’t heard him laugh in weeks, and I’ve missed it.

“I’m glad you’re home, Half-pint.”

“I’m glad I’m home, too. I should call Mum, or at least message.”

“I’ve already messaged her. She sends her love.” There’s a shade of skepticism to his tone. “She asked when it would be a good time to visit.”

I sigh. “Please tell me you didn’t tell her never.”

He laughs again. “Tempting, but no. I said in a few days when you’ve had time to settle in.”

“I know how you feel about them, and you’ve every right to. But I can’t help hoping that at some point in the future, you’ll find a way to make peace with my parents, and maybe Beth, too. They’re my family, Nicholas.”

His arms tighten around me. “If you want me to try, I will, but if you’re looking for me to forgive them for neglecting you, it might take a while. And as for what Elizabeth did… I may never be able to look at her without wanting to put my hands around her neck and throttle her for what she put you through. Sorry, Half-pint, but I’m not as merciful as you are.”

He grabs a washcloth and squirts a dollop of soap into the middle, lathers it, then rubs it over my chest. “I forgot to tell you, we finally found out who the woman was that your sister used for her own ends.”

---