Page 16 of Within Shadows
“Don’t cry, sweet girl. You’re safe.” My voice is a whisper as her frown deepens and she scrunches her face; a sob racks her chest, and I have to grip the headboard to stop from lifting her in my arms. “Please stop,” she begs, and I hold my breath. The words aren’t meant for me, though.
“Oliver, no. Stop.” Her head twitches, jolting over the pillow. My shoulders tremble as I lean closer, wrapping my arm around her as I sing in her ear. The words a haunting promise of safety, serenity, and a world where she’ll never fear another man.
“As long as I live, you’ll be safe,” I promise as she slips back into peaceful sleep. Ripping myself away is nearly torture, but I manage to do it after one last look at her. She’s the most divine creature I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I can’t wait for the day that she will see herself the way I do. My escape is hindered by a puffball of rage, Maeve’s cat.
He sits near the door, back arched, while regarding me with distrust in his eyes. I roll my eyes while crouching low and hold my hand out. He swats at it once, but I don’t pull away. Instead I ruffle his fur and earn a growl of protest that morphs into a soft purr as he trots away.
“You keep protecting our girl, and there’s some fancy treats in your future,” I say, his head perking my way on the word ‘treats’. I shake my head, snickering under my breath as I walk back through the house to double-check all windows and doors are locked. The pile of blankets on the couch still makes me frown. Maeve is safe here, but it doesn’t ease my discomfort.
Chapter 9
Maeve
My head is enraged, pounding in time with my pulse and the sunlight breaking through the window isn’t helping anything. I roll over, pulling the blankets over my head with a groan. A faint whiff of a familiar, masculine cologne makes me stop and take a deep breath through my nose. That smell reminds me of something, someone, but I can’t place who. Memories flutter through my mind and I peer over the blankets, realizing quickly that the bed is cold and I’m alone. Garrett must have slipped out earlier and that stings a little, but I force myself out from under the blankets. My feet immediately tangle in my discarded pants and I end up stumbling before falling onto my side with a groan. I roll onto my stomach and bury my face in my arms while my hip throbs angrily. Heavy footsteps thunder down the hallway and Garrett grabs me off the ground.
“Maeve? Talk to me, did you hit your head?” His hands are gentle as he searches my body for any signs of injury while I brush my hair out of my face, even though I just want to hide.
“Took myself out with my own pants, not the first time and won’t be the last,” I sigh, rubbing my sore hip with a groan. Garrett blows out a breath and shakes his head at me, a small smile curling his lip as he helps me stand.
“You are your own enemy, Maeve,” he says. I massage my temple, groaning as my headache pounds harder. A rattling bottle catches my attention as Garrett walks out of the bathroom with a glass of water and hands me the bottle of pills.
“You’re my hero,” I nearly whine as I swallow the pills and water within two gulps, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand as Garrett looks everywhere but at me.
“Wouldn’t have tripped if you were still wearing your pants,” he mutters, rubbing a hand over his mouth as his face takes on a red shade. I grip the hem of his shirt that I’m wearing and tug it lower with a snort.
“You didn't mind looking between my legs yesterday.” I smirk. Garrett groans and turns on his heel to leave the room.
“Put some pants on and come eat, you tease,” he calls back and I can hear the smile in his voice. I stick my middle finger up but he’s already out of sight when I start shuffling through my clothes.
My hands tremble but I refuse to let the fear take over. I’ve spent too much time afraid, watching over my shoulder and waiting for something, or someone, to jump out. I told Garrett that I’m ready to come home, but actually being here was causing doubt to creep in. But I had to face it eventually and hiding doesn’t fix anything. Garrett’s warm hand gently cups my elbow as he draws my attention away from my front door and I mentally shake myself.
“Sorry, I spaced for a minute. Thank you again for everything. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.” I smile up at him, but he frowns and brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face.
“I don’t need to be repaid for being a decent person. Spending time with you is more than enough, Maeve. I’ll always be here for you.” His serious tone makes my heart flutter, and I nod, letting him pull me into a tight hug. Wrapped in his arms shouldn’t make it easier for me to breathe, but I feel safe here in his embrace.
“Well, you’ll have to make me breakfast more often, because that was seriously the best meal I’ve ever had.” He grins as we pull away and rolls his eyes at my words.
“Flattery will get you anything you want. I’m only a phone call away, okay?” he says, opening the front door and waving at meas he reluctantly leaves. The silence that falls through the house makes me fold my arms tighter around myself. I drop onto the couch and stare at the dark screen of the TV, just letting my mind wander. My phone chimes and I dig it out of my pocket, smiling at the message on the screen.
Garret:I miss you already, is that too clingy?
I bite my lip as I type out a response.
Me:Oh, that’s super clingy. I know, because I miss you, too.
He sends back a crying emoji, and I laugh at the absurdity of what’s happened. Atticus jumps into my lap and bumps his head on my hand until I finally pet him.
“I got to meet my favorite member from my favorite band. I started back at college and immediately met the most gentle man I’ve ever known, who also happened to save me when my psychotic ex broke into my house. Then I started dating the gentle giant. What is happening to us, Atticus?” I ask, and he chirrups, looking at me as if to say,‘Us? This is all on you, human.’
“You’re right, Atticus. I need a nap,” I groan, sinking deeper into the couch as my cat purrs on my chest, content to sink his tiny claws into me as I stroke his fur. I finally turn on the TV, putting on a random movie as my eyes grow heavy and exhaustion overwhelms me.
My eyes fly open as I lurch upright, launching the now startled ball of fur as my head whips around to scan the room. Somebody was knocking on my door, and my heart was pounding so hard I thought I was going to pass out. Movement from the front porch catches my attention through the blinds as somebody walks away, and I finally regain control of myself. Sitting forward, Ipeer through the blinds and watch the mailman as he whistles to himself, heading to the house next door.
“You idiot, it’s nothing,” I scold myself, curling my fingers in my hair as I bow my head and slow my breathing. Once I feel in control, I find my phone on the floor and unlock it, pulling up my security cameras with a frown. There’s a package sitting outside my door and a stack of letters sitting on top of it. I open my door just far enough to snatch everything inside and kick it shut behind me, turning the bolt lock into place before I set everything on my counter and brush the letters aside. Checking all sides of the package, I don’t see a label, until I finally notice my name written in scrawled Sharpie on one side. Myfirstname—Thalia.
My parents flash into my thoughts, and I excitedly rip the package open. Inside is a thick, black hoodie that I pull out first. As I open it, I almost squeal from excitement when I realize the printed front is from my favorite band. Beneath the hoodie is also a smaller box that I tear open to find a black mug with bats on it. I brush away a tear with a smile, and for a moment I debate calling my parents but stop myself.
What would I even tell them? They’d be stuck on their cruise, worrying over me or fighting to find a way to come home early, and I can’t do that to them. My joy fades as I stare at the mail still sitting on the table, thoughts filling with uncertainty. The last time Oliver snapped, he attacked me and Jess when she tried to defend me. I can’t let him keep hurting those that I care about. I have to protect them.
