Page 12 of Shadow

“Are you hungry, baby? I can make you something.”

She reached out and cradled my face for a moment before letting her gaze wander back outside.

I sighed, not knowing what to do but feeling like I had to do something. Church said Bryce was adamant about joining us. We all knew she had a thing for him. My jealousy was still simmering nearby, but in the end, it was her choice, not mine. I only wanted her happiness, in whatever form that was. So be it if it meant she added more to our group. We were headed into a war and needed all the help we could get. It was only a matter of time before shit went to hell. It worsened my anxiety when I considered the possibilities.

With my hand on her bare thigh, I stared up at her, wanting to say so much but not knowing the right words. She finally looked back at me before taking my hand in hers. Gently, she wrote on my palm.

“I’m sorry.”

I exhaled. “What are you sorry for, baby? There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”

Her finger traced lightly along my skin.

“I’m not myself.”

I frowned at her words. That wasn’t a lie. A lot happened over the last few weeks. She’d killed someone, for fuck’s sake. Of course, she wasn’t herself.

“Do you want to talk about anything?” I ventured.

She bit along her plump bottom lip for a moment before nodding.

That was all I needed. I held my hand out to her, and she took it, allowing me to bring her to her feet before leading her to the couch.

I pulled her down onto my lap. She immediately curled into me, the smell of her apple shampoo filling my senses. I inhaled deeply, loving the way she smelled.

“Talk to me,” I murmured, tucking a lock of her dark hair behind her ear.

As always, she remained quiet. I let her, hoping she’d find the words she was looking for soon enough.

Her fingers trailed to my shirt pocket, where she felt my vape. I let her pull it out, my eyes glued to her as she brought it to her lips.

“Baby, no,” I started, but she put it to her lips and drew in a deep hit. A moment later, the scent of cherries surrounded us as she coughed on the hit, her small body trembling as the vape pen fell onto the couch cushion.

“It takes some getting used to,” I said, thumbing her bottom lip.

She nodded and let out another small cough.

I smoothed her hair away from her face again.

“I’m worried about you. What happened with Adam… with Cady and Sin?—”

She pressed a finger to my lips and shook her head, tears in her eyes.

I studied her silently, not sure if one thing bothered her more than the other or the entire situation in general.

“Is it because of what happened to Adam?” I whispered gently when her finger fell away.

She licked her lips before letting out a soft breath.

She parted her lips and spoke, her words so soft but so fierce. “I will never regret killing him.” She stared back at me, her colorful eyes wide and earnest.

I nodded. “I won’t regret it either. He deserved to die. If you hadn’t done it, then I know I would have.”

We were quiet again for a beat before she spoke.

“Do you think Sin a-and Cady…”

“I don’t know,” I answered back softly, my heart hurting. “I hope not. It’s fucked up.” I stared into her pretty face, taking in the torment blanketing it. “If it happened, you would still love Sin, right? You won’t… you won’t break up with him?”

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