Page 100 of Laila Manning
And inside of it, curled into a ball of skin and bones, bruises and cuts, was a little boy who would never be the same because of it.
“Kade.” I whispered, as the rest of the guys cleared out, leaving me alone with Diesel and the boy. The door to the cell was open, but Kade was curled behind the metal bed, with his face buried behind the fabric of his bare mattress. “Kade,” I said a little louder, “It’s me, Laila.”
Something dripped down my face, and I swiped at it, pulling my hand away to find tears mixing with Clarissa’s blood on my fingers. I was crying, and didn’t even realize.
Piercing blue eyes peeked out from behind the mattress, a mop of dirty brown hair stuck to his forehead.
God, he was so small and hurt.
“Kade, you’re safe now.” I tried again, lowering myself to my knees in the middle of the cell. “No one is going to hurt you. I promise you.” More tears fell from my eyes, but I tried to keep my voice calm and strong for him. I tried to be everything I dreamed of in finding a rescuer when I was in his place. “I promise you.”
“You’re covered in blood.” He replied softly, sitting up a little higher to see more of my body over the bed. “Who’s?”
I swallowed, “Hers.” Saying her name felt too personal. He knew who I meant. She was the villain in his nightmare. We all had one.
“Is she dead?” Kade asked, gripping the metal bar of the bed frame to pull his body out just a fraction of an inch from where he was sandwiched against the wall. “Is that enough blood to kill someone?”
“I don’t know.” I said honestly. “But if it’s not, I’ll get more.” I raised my eyebrows at him and nodded once. “If she’s not dead, she will be. I promise.”
“Promises.” He shuddered, “I fucking hate promises.”
“I’m sorry.” I deflated slightly, trying to figure out how to help him when I didn’t even know what had happened to him.
“Don’t be.” He swallowed and moved an inch more toward me. “You’ve never broken any to me before. You’re probably the only one.”
My heart broke for the little boy, who sounded like a worn and tired man instead of a twelve-year-old. “And I never will.”
“Neither will I.” Diesel said from behind me, and I looked over my shoulder as he took his leather cut off, and then took his giant flannel off, handing it to me. “What do you say we get out of this fucking place, kid?”
I held the flannel, still warm with Diesel’s body heat, out to Kade, who eyed it before he said, “I never came to you for help, like you told me to. I was too fucking late.” His shoulders shook slightly as he fought to keep from breaking with that statement. When I last saw him, I told him he could always come to me, no questions asked.
And he made a joke about questions being my middle name.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to that moment and do it all differently to save him from what happened between then and now.
“You’re not too late now. And my offer still stands.” I leaned forward, holding the shirt out closer to him. “Let me help you, Kade. Assomeone who knows exactly what you’re feeling right now. Just take my hand and let me help you.”
“Okay.” He whispered, bloodshot eyes watering up even as he refused to let them fall. He was so strong and so broken, all at the same time.
“Okay.” I crawled forward, wrapping the shirt around him, engulfing him in it as he got out of his hiding spot. “I got you.”
The shirt was so big it fell to his knees, and I wrapped my arms around him, praying it wouldn’t trigger him, but he leaned into me, burying his face in my chest as I squeezed him with everything inside of me.
Human touch could destroy every belief a person had in humanity.
Or it could heal it.
Chapter 27 – Zeke
As soon as I laid eyes on her, I’d settle the monster in my chest, trying to claw its way out through my flesh and bones.
That was what I kept telling myself as I raced back to Laila after her panicked call earlier. Of course, I was hours away on a deal, leaving me feeling like part of my body was being cut off with every minute back to her.
I had gotten status reports from the crew about what happened at The Senator’s house; I knew about Kade and the horrors they found there. But I had to see them both with my own eyes before I’d settle.
“Drop me at the Lupold’s.” Jed said as we finally pulled into the East Valley. “Go to Laila and Kade and I’ll finish the cleanup there.”
“You sure?” I asked, understanding just how much that cost him to stay away when he wanted to check on her as much as I did. But she wasn’t alone. And Kade didn’t need more spectators right now.
