Page 141 of Beautiful Trauma
As Mila took my hand in hers, she squeezed. “You’re so brave to endure all that you did. And for me.”
“I could say the same to you.”
Caterina glanced at the two of us. “I want you to know that I’m not just here for Kellan, but I’m here for you as well.”
“I appreciate that.”
Jerking her chin at the scrapes and bruises on Mila’s arms, she asked, “Do you want me to look at those?”
“They’re healing. I got patched up in the medical bay when Kellan was out cold.”
“Let me know if I can do anything for them.”
Mila smiled. “Thanks.”
As Caterina continued staring at Mila’s arms, she sighed. “I’ll never forget how hard those first weeks in Boston were. I was getting used to a new city, a new family, and an entirely new way of life. Not to mention being married to a man I didn’t know. Callum wasn’t around as much as I would’ve liked for him to be, but even if Kellan wasn’t hurt, he would still take the time for you.”
I squeezed Mila’s hand. “I sure would.”
Mila leaned forward to give me a brief kiss. “That doesn’t surprise me at all.”
As Caterina patted my wounds dry, she said, “I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t feel bad about having some adjustment issues. It isn’t just Kellan who is here for you. Isla, Ava, and myself have all been through our own trauma of kidnappings and beatings.” At the horror on Mila’s face, she said, “But never at the hands of our men. Just like Kellan, they’re our saviors.”
“You really know how to give a good egotrip, Caterina,” I teased.
She laughed. “I’m just telling it as it is.”
“Kellan always gets a big head,” Mila said with a wink.
“Cheeky lass,” I mused.
“Okay, time to sit up so I can wrap your bandages,” Caterina instructed.
The pain medicine had started working a little more because I was able to sit up without groaning. “When I finish, do you want me to tell Orla you’re ready for your dinner?”
Before I could reply, Mila said, “Oh no, we’ll eat with you guys.”
Caterina’s brows popped wide. “Are you sure? It was an insane bunch earlier, and Maeve and Rafe just got here with their boys.”
Mila bobbed her head. “I’m sure. I would really like to meet Maeve.”
Although she sounded certain, I could hear the apprehension wavering in her voice. But I didn’t want to say anything in front of Caterina.
“Don’t worry. It won’t be like this every night,” I assured Mila.
“It’s okay. I’m used to a big family.” As the words left her lips, Mila’s face crumpled. As I reached for her, she shook her head. “I think I’ll go take a shower and freshen up before dinner.”
She hurried past me and Caterina into the bathroom. After the door shut and locked, I exhaled a ragged breath. “Fuck.”
Caterina rubbed my arm. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“So do I.”
I wished that more than anything in the fucking world.
CHAPTER FORTY: MILA
In the shower, I sobbed into a towel so Kellan wouldn’t hear me. I don’t know why I bothered. He knew me as well as I knew myself. I could almost picture him pacing outside the door. Instead of lying down and taking care of himself, he would be trying to think of what he could do to help me. That was just the man he was.
