Page 39 of From My Past
I clenched my teeth and felt my hands make fists at the fact that that monster had hurt her so much that even in sleep her body tried to protect itself.
Walking back into the front room, I sat back down on the couch. I wanted her to have a good nights sleep, but I also wanted to be here in case she had nightmares or woke up in a panic. A lot had happened today.
I turned the channel to some comedy show and made sure to turn the volume down low so I could hear if she made any kind of noise.
My eyes started to close and I finally let myself succumb to slumber, knowing that my girl was okay and safe.
* * *
Did I not shut the blinds? Why the hell is there one annoying beam that will not go away no matter where I move?
Then my memory snapped into place and I sat straight up. I looked around and saw Talia, curled up on the lounge chair next to the couch. Her arms were crossed under her head, and she lay leaning on the arm of the chair with her feet tucked under her and her head rested over her arms. Sometime during the night her hair had come free from the ponytail she’d put the golden waves back earlier.
“Talia?” I whispered.
Her eyes opened slowly, as if it was hard for her to be pulled back into reality. She blinked a few times and lifted her head.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “What happened?”
“I woke up and you weren’t there.” She said softly. I sat up, shifting on the couch to sit closer to her.
“I didn’t think you’d want me to sleep in the room with you. I was trying to be a gentleman.” I chuckled and pulled my hair back into a low bun so it was out of my face. I wondered what time it was, I felt as if I hadn’t slept much at all. The TV was still going and a different program was on. Talia yawned and let her head fall back onto her arms.
I looked down at my watch and found that it was only five in the morning and with the late night we had after everything, we couldn’t have gotten more than two or three hours of sleep.
It also meant we only had three hours until Luca expected Talia to be back in his life.
How sorely he was mistaken.
“Why don’t you go back to sleep in the bed? Is it comfy enough for you?” I asked her. I was up now, I needed to make sure the men were prepped and my father had some kind of plan for us.
“It’s very comfortable. Thank you.” She said, her eyes closed.
“Then let’s get you back in it.”
“Will you lay down with me?” She asked me quietly. So quietly that I thought I might have imagined it.
I kneel in front of her chair. Her hair had fallen in front of her face, just slightly. I let my fingers slide over her soft cheek, as gently as I could so I didn’t hurt her bruising, and pushed the strands back behind her ear. I had to.
“Mmm,” Talia moaned and moved her face in time with his hand.
“I’ll lay down with you baby, just until you fall asleep.” I said softly and slid my hands under her, lifting her into my arms.
“No, stay.” She muttered. Talia’s head fell back against my shoulder as I stood. I swear, my heart was trying to beat out of my chest. As she moved I could smell her sweet vanilla and lavender scent. It was intoxicating.
“I have to get some things prepared for today. But I’ll be here until you fall asleep.”
“Promise?” She whispered. I carried her back into her bedroom and let her slide under the covers before I climbed in after her.
“Promise.” I whisper and hear her sigh happily.
The standard issue sheets that the clan put in all of the apartments were sterile and overly starched, but the duvet was heavy and crisp as I lifted it to cover us both.
But none of those things mattered. The only thing that mattered was the woman who turned into my warmth and put her forehead to my chest.
“Thank you.” She muttered sleepily.
