Page 23 of Shadow's Heart
Looking at his sleeping form, I notice something isn’t right. His face is tight with pain, and his body is shaking, causing his long black hair to flop around on the pillow around him. Fucking hell, is he having a nightmare? Is this the first one? I can’t let him stay experiencing whatever is going on inside his head right now. I couldn’t live with myself knowing I didn’t help him when he needed me.
“Avery. Wake up. Whatever you’re seeing isn’t real; your home with me.” I repeat the same words over and over until I see his eyelids start to open.
The look in his beautiful green eyes is heartbreaking; all I want to do is wrap him in my arms, so that’s what I do. As carefully as I can, I pull him into my chest and hold him there. I can feel his tears soaking my bare chest, and seeing him this way makes me want to destroy every demon currently chasing him.
I’ve been waiting for this moment since we came home; he’s been far too put together. Pushing back everything he felt and trying to move forward. It was never going to work; he needs to acknowledge everything before he can move past it. And whether he needs to rage out or cry, I don’t care. I’ll be here next to him the entire time, because that’s what you do for the person who means more to you than anything in this world. Actually, scrap that; he doesn’t just mean more to me than anything in this world; he is my fucking world.
“I’ve got you.” I whisper into the room.
As soon as he hears my words, his sobs increase. Hearing him like this is crushing, but I know it’s what he needs. So I’ll stay like this, offering him the safety of my embrace for as long as I need to. Whatever he needs, whenever he needs it, if I can, I’ll give it to him.
After about ten minutes of releasing all the emotions and stress he’s been bottling up, his cries slowly come to a stop, and he lifts his head up to look at me. Even with red eyes from crying, he’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on. God, how did I never realize this before now? It’s taking all my self-control to not lean forward and kiss him, but I know that’s not what he needs right now. Right now he needs me to listen and just be here for him.
“Sorry.” He starts to apologize.
“Nope, you don’t need to apologize for what you’re feeling.” I say, cutting off his apology.
“I didn’t want to worry you more.”
“So this isn’t the first time I take it? Avery, you don’t need to hide it from me; I want to be here for you.”
“I think talking about it might be a good idea. Keeping everything to myself isn’t helping.” He admits.
“When you’re ready, I’ll be here and ready to listen.” I tell him gently.
I’m not surprised when he lays his head back on my chest and starts talking. He needs to get everything out; bottling it all away isn’t healthy or helping. I can’t stop myself from becoming emotional as I listen to all the horrific things Rex did to try and get him to confess to what Megan had accused him of. God, I can’t even imagine the headspace Wreck must have been in knowing that he couldn’t confess to anything because he was innocent, and the torture was going to be never-ending. I thought I hated Megan before, but learning all the details of what Wreck was put through increases my hatred for the woman to a level I didn’t think was possible.
Two hours he spends telling me everything, and by the time he’s finished, he looks lighter. Like sharing the burden helped. He’s exhausted now though; his eyes keep dropping closed before he jolts slightly to keep himself awake.
“Sleep. I’ve got you, and you’re safe.”
He cuddles himself closer, his entire body pressed up against me, leaving no space between us. I wrap my arms around him tight, closing my own eyes to try and get some more sleep. The morning will be here before we know it, but hopefully it will be a better day for Wreck now he’s finally shared his burden.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Wreck
Waking up in Shadow’s arms, I can’t help but smile even after the events of last night. As much as I wanted to keep my nightmares away from him, I’m happy he knows and we talked. Talking to him certainly helped; I was able to get everything that happened off my chest, and by doing so I seem to have removed the weight that was holding me down. Maybe Flame was right in a way, and Shadow will be the one who helps me through everything, the same way Wrath did and continues to do for Flame.
I think my next step now that I’ve finally opened up to Shadow about everything that happened while Rex held me needs to be talking to Jake. I owe him fucking everything, and I know none of what’s happened could have been easy for him. He was well and truly stuck in the middle, with his MC on one side and The Khaos Group, well, mostly Rex, on the other. I also want to know if Rex is back yet and knows the truth. Part of me really feels sorry for him; he’s as much a victim in Megan’s games as me. The only difference was that he was her chosen weapon while I was the target. I can’t imagine someone who is part of The Khaos Group and prides themselves on helping theinnocents and ridding the world of evil is going to take the fact he tortured a totally innocent man for three days well.
Rolling out of bed as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Shadow, I head into the bathroom for a quick shower to hopefully help wake me up before dressing and heading downstairs to start coffee.
Today is going to be a coffee-fueled day after spending part of the night awake talking, but feeling this much lighter is so worth it. As I’m pouring my first cup, Shadow walks into the kitchen, looking adorable. His hair is sticking up in every direction, his eyes are hardly open, and he’s moving on autopilot towards the coffee. I hold out the cup I just poured myself. Clearly, he needs it more than me. Grabbing the cup, he takes a huge gulp and moans. The sound he makes should be fucking illegal. If he sounds this way when he drinks coffee, then just what kind of noises does he make in bed? Nope. Stop that train of thought right now, Avery King; I don’t need to be fully hard right this second. The semi I’m sporting from the moans he’s making while drinking coffee is bad enough.
“I’m going to head over to The Clubhouse this morning and talk to Jake.” I tell him, trying to distract myself.
“That’s probably a good thing. Did I tell you he offered to leave because of the role his family played in what happened to you?”
“The fuck. No, you didn’t; I hope you told him to forget that shit.”
“Of course I did. I wouldn’t have you back if it wasn’t for him.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.” Because that is the truth. Without Jake, things would have taken an entirely different turn. I wouldn’t be home; I’d either still be being tortured or dead. Megan would still be here manipulating away,and Rex would have eventually inadvertently killed a totally innocent man. Each and every one of us owe Jake everything.
After sharing a quick breakfast with Shadow, we head over to The Clubhouse in one of the SUVs. I still can’t ride my bike because of my ribs, and as much as I hate it, I know not to push myself too fast or too early. It will only set my healing back, and that’s the last thing I want. I’ll be back riding before I know it, and when I can ride, the first thing I’m going to do is go for a long ride to feel the power of my bike between my legs and the wind whipping around my face. There’s nothing in this world like riding. It’s one of the most freeing experiences life can offer.
Entering The Common Room, I’m shocked when a round of cheers goes up, along with shouts of welcome home. I don’t know why I’m so surprised; we’re not just a club; we’re a family. I know they all worked their asses off to find me, and even though I know they didn’t find anything, I’m grateful for each and every one of their efforts.
