Page 60 of Silver Secrets

For fuck’s sake! Why the hell had she locked the goddamn door? He leaned his ear against the wood, trying to listen for a sign of struggle, but there was nothing. Gage’s fingers slipped along the top of the door frame until they touched cold metal. The contractors who built out the apartments for Sebastian must have known to leave the door keys there. And he was fucking grateful for that, because all he could hear now was whimpering coming from inside the room.

“Sloane?” he knocked. “Are you okay?”

No answer. Gage knocked louder.

“Red? I need you to answer me. Just let me know you’re okay.”

Another scream pierced the air and Gage knew he couldn’t wait any longer. He slid the oddly shaped tool into the knob and twisted, wiggling back and forth until the lock disengaged. Gage threw the door open, his eyes rushing to find Sloane.

She was there, still on the bed, thrashing dangerously close to the edge. Fuck. He lunged, just in time to catch her as she toppled towards the floor. His ass hit the hardwoods and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!” she screamed, as her arms and legs continued to flail around her. “No, please! Please don’t touch me!”

“Red, you’re just having a bad dream. I need you to wake up now. It’s just a dream, baby. It’s just a dream.” He squeezed her body closer to his as he fought through the lump in his throat. “Please, come back to me now. You’re safe. You’re safe with me, Sloane.”

Her body sagged back into his, an immediate rush of relief washing over Gage. Sloane’s face pressed into his chest as she took in a deep breath. Her eyes opened slowly, red rimmed from the tears her nightmare had forced her to cry.

“Gage? What happened?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I think you might have had a nightmare. Do you remember?”

Her hand froze, and the eye not hidden by it went wide. For a second he stilled, not daring to breathe, waiting to see what she would do. Every fiber of his being waited for her to push him away, but that’s not what happened. Instead, he felt her body melt into his.

“God, I just want this to be over. I was doing so much better. Before everything with Lily… I hadn’t had a nightmare in months. Now I can’t even close my eyes without being back there. Knowing he’s back… He shouldn’t get to… He shouldn’t take up this much space in my head.”

Gage wrapped his arms around her.

“I’m sorry I can’t make it better.”

“You’re doing exactly what I need right now.”

Her hands wrapped around his waist. They sat together, him cradling her and her clinging onto him, for several silent minutes. He felt her body start to shake, his heart clenching waiting for the tears to come.

But they didn’t.

Instead, laughter slowly filled the room. Quiet at first, then louder as her body shook more violently.

“Red?” He questioned, moving his hand to raise her face so he could look into her eyes. They sparkled, crinkled at the corner as more laughter poured from her. “Are you okay?”

“Can’t… breathe…” she giggled, moving to hold her sides.

“Fuck, Sloane. Is this okay? What can I do? I don’t know how to make it stop.”

She waved her hand in front of her face, taking gulping breaths in as she pushed herself up off his chest.

“He… made… me…” Her breathing was too sharp and Gage knew she was teetering on the razor’s edge between laughter and crying. “Hate… being… t-touched.”

A sob fell between them and Gage felt her hands tighten on his shirt. “It’s okay, Sloane.”

“I just want… you…” More tears interrupted her.

“Do you want me to let you go?” he asked, every fiber of his being screaming at him for even suggesting it.

“No! H-hold me… please. D-don’t let go.”

Never again, Red. Never, ever, again.

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