Page 54 of Hayes
“You can’t go to him. You can’t save him. And he would kill me if I let you try.”
I shake my head. “He deserves to be saved. He would do it if it were me.”
“Yes, he does.”
“But you still won’t tell me?” I grit out.
“No, I won’t. He doesn’t need saving from this. He’ll need help when it’s over, but there’s nothing to do now.”
I frown, pushing off Gage’s chest and glaring at him. “Tell me what they’re doing to him. Tell me what torture he’s enduring. If you expect me to be able to help him when he returns, then help me prepare for the trauma he’s experiencing.”
Gage’s tight eyes cut through mine, as if he’s still assessing where my loyalties lie. Finally, he speaks. “You already know.”
My heart squeezes in my chest as I put the pieces together. My stomach drops, and I can barely breathe at the thought.
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
Gage resumes rubbing my back. “Do it now, before he returns.”
He doesn’t say it, but it’s clear Gage expects me to be strong when Hayes returns. That’s why he wants me to sleep or at least rest. But my mind is spinning with what is most likely happening to Hayes.
Red—all I see is hot, red rage. They are all going to pay for this.
Gage squeezes me, and I rest my head on his shoulder again. I curl up in his lap, closing my eyes and plotting my revenge.
“Lilith,” Gage’s voice sounds in my head in a whisper.
I open my eyes, confused about how I could have fallen asleep on Gage’s lap. I don’t know how long I was out, and Gage is still holding me.
I sit up, and he shows me his phone. “Hayes is back.”
Hayes is walking up the stairs of the house, alone. He looks tired and exhausted, but he’s alive.
I jump off Gage’s lap, running my hand through my hair and trying to think of what to say or do.
Gage stands, watching me closely, his eyes cutting to the phone every few seconds.
I start pacing again, but Gage grabs me. “No, he needs you now.”
I stop and nod. He’s right. He’s saved me countless times; I’ll do anything to help him.
Gage’s eyes cut to the door behind me, and he whispers in my ear, “Forgive him.”
I cock an eyebrow, not having a clue why I would need to forgive Hayes. There is nothing he could do that would warrant my forgiveness. He survived—that’s all he needed to do.
Gage releases me and walks to the door, where I know Hayes has entered, but I haven’t turned to face him yet.
“I’ll make sure you’re both safe,” Gage says. I hear him pat Hayes on the shoulder, and then his heavy feet walk out of the room.
Slowly, I turn to face Hayes.
Hayes grins at me, his dimple deep on his cheek, and his eyes bright with amusement.
It’s an act—for me. He’s protecting me from the pain or trauma he experienced. Saving him from himself won’t be easy. He’ll have to let me in and stop pretending he’s okay when he isn’t.
I’m ready for the challenge.
I run to him, throwing my arms around him. He catches me in his arms, and we plant our lips on each other in a deep kiss.
