Page 139 of Atone

He chose me over everything. Something Declan might not have appreciated as much as I did, since Alex being in the hospital with me meant Maddox was left to run Sigma House. Declan could only stand a day of reports from that mess before Kole and Violet cut their trip to LA short by a week to come back and help. Declan and Teal followed a few days after.

Thankfully, we managed to convince Patience to stay in LA as planned for the extra month. The Lancasters are in shambles. It’s better she avoid that for a little while longer.

Without Patience here, Alex and I disappeared into the hospital room.

It reminded me of the times I would visit him at Montgomery. We sat in silence when both our nightmares would wake us in the middle of the night, and we remembered how to connect without the need for words.

Alex had Maddox bring some of his things from the house, including his journal. We wrote poems and messages to each other. I shared any remaining truths I could think of, and he did the same. By the end, Alex looked at me like he expected me to run, but there’s no point. I love this man no matter what he’s done.

Over the course of those two weeks, I got the impression I wasn’t the only one healing.

“The dorm is getting busy again.” I take notice of how many cars fill the parking lot.

“School starts back up in a few weeks.”

“I feel like I was in the hospital forever.” I sigh, melting against him as he steps into the elevator.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs against my hair.

“I told you to stop apologizing.”

“It’s my fault.”

“It was your father’s fault.” I rest my hand on his jaw. “You aren’t him.”

“I’m not much better. I can’t promise I’ll ever be a good man.”

“I don’t needgood, Alex.” I trace my fingers on his jawline. “Because honestly, I can’t promise I’ll ever really be that either. I need honest, brave, and committed. I need you. You’re mine.”

“And you’re mine, Mila Bianchi.” He leans down to kiss my forehead as the elevator doors peel open. “Now let’s get you to bed.”

“I’ve spent two weeks in bed.”

“And you’ll spend two more weeks in bed if that’s what it takes to get you better.”

“At least if we’re going to be in bed, can’t we have some fun with it?” I brush my hands down his strong chest, giving him a devious smile.

“When you’re better.”

“You have the patience of a god.” I groan.

He grins. “Except I’m anything but that.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Alex unlocks the door to the dorm room, and when he swings it open, I’m met with Violet and Teal standing in the living room, smiling at me.

“Welcome home!” they cheer.

“Thanks.” I smile.

Teal curls against Declan’s side. “I see you had to work really hard to get up here.”

“He refuses to put me down.”

“Clearly.” Violet shakes her head, standing in Kole’s arms. “At least come over here and tell us how you’re doing.”

“She needs to rest,” Alex says.

---