Page 82 of The Devil's Weakness

“What’s the matter? Can I get you anything?”

“No, it’s okay. It’s from the morning-after pill that I took. It makes you really nauseated. I can’t let myself get sick, or else I have to repeat the dose, and I don’t want to prolong this torture.”

I feel like a fucking bastard all over again.

“I’m sorry. This is my fault,” I admit, walking toward her.

“Yeah, it is,” she confirms, semi-joking. “No, it’s like you said. It takes two to tango. So, I’m just as much to blame.”

She wraps her arms around her body like she’s cold, so I grab the throw blanket from the back of the sofa and cover her with it.

“I’m going to get started on the doorknob,” I tell her.

“Thank you. I really appreciate you coming here and doing that. You didn’t have to.”

“Yeah. I did.” After a moment, a thought pops into my mind. “I was sure you’d be mad at me for coming back so soon.”

“Well, you’ve only been here for a few minutes. Give it time; I’m sure you’ll do something to piss me off.”

We both laugh, knowing it’s entirely possible.

I grab my tools and get started replacing the doorknob. The whole time I work, I can feel her eyes on me. I want to know what she’s thinking. Is she going to kick me out of here when I’m finished? Will she object when I take her back to bed and crawl in next to her?

Just ask her, you dumb ass.

“Whatcha thinking about?” I continue working without looking at her.

“Not much, just trying not to throw up.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could make you feel better,” I tell her.

“It’s okay, but thank you.”

When I’ve finished tightening the last screw, I finally turn and look at her. She smiles softly at me.

“All done.” I stand and close the door, testing the lock out to make sure it works. “Here’s the key. I’ll go to Carroll’s tomorrow and get some more copies made. That way, Michael has one.”

I show her the key and place it on the counter for her.

“Are you kidding me? He’s not responsible enough to have his own set of keys. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t too worried about the broken doorknob. I barely lock the door as it is because of him. He wouldn’t be able to get back in.”

“That’s not safe, Sasha,” I say seriously. “You can’t be doing that.”

“Maybe not. Until recently, I’ve always felt that this was a safe town. But I don’t feel as safe as I used to.”

Thinking about Death’s Road in the diner earlier today, my face turns grave. I walk to the sofa and crouch down in front of her.

“It’s not as bad as some places. But there are dangers that lurk just outside of Whispering Valley. Threats that get closer every day.”

“Um,” she mutters. “Okay.”

“Promise me you’ll lock your door from now on?”

“I promise.”

Taking her injured hand in mine, I turn it palm side up and place a kiss on top of her cut.

“Thank you. Are you hungry? Can I get you anything?”

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