Page 69 of Hell of a Mess
“Locke got back last night,” Gathe said, pulling a chair out andsitting down at the table.
“I know,” Mal replied tightly, as if this was something Gathe shouldn’t be talking about. “I’m taking Lace out shopping today. But this evening, I’d like you and Locke here for dinner.”
Gathe’s gaze swung to mine. “What, like a family dinner with the new sis?” He wagged his eyebrows at me.
“Yes, I’d like us to have a weekly family dinner.”
That got Gathe’s attention back on him. “Really? Will you be hiring a cook, or are you gonna be cooking these meals? Because I’m placing my vote now for carryout if you’re not finally getting another cook.”
Mal shrugged. “Eh, I think I might get a cook. Haven’t had one since you moved out.”
Gathe took another bite. “Thank fuck.”
I tried to keep a pleasant expression on my face, but the more they talked about food, the more my anxiety crept in. I didn’t want him to get a cook for me. Then I’d feel pressured to eat. I wasn’t ready to eat every meal. I knew this was probably something I should see a therapist over, but I wasn’t asking for one of those. It made me seem mental. And…that was my worst fear. That it was waiting there to steal me, like it had Dalia.
Thirty
Luther
Slamming my fist into the punching bag drowned out the noise around me and helped a little with the shit in my head. I’d spent more time in the home gym with this bag than I had sleeping since getting home two days ago. Other than giving Linc a recap of what we had found at the Halsten residence, I hadn’t spoken to him. In fact, I’d been going out of my way not to see or speak to anyone. It was better that way.
“I need your help.”
Mal’s voice carried over the room, and I froze, inhaling sharply through my nose. I’d not heard him come in, but then that was the point of beating the hell out of the bag. Blocking everything out.
“Fuck off,” I replied, not turning around to look at the bastard.
“She’s not eating.”
That got my attention. I dropped my arms to my sides andfaced him.
“And you’re asking me for help?” I asked, pointing at my chest as a bitter smile curled my lips.
“Don’t be an ass, Luther. She’s barely put any food in her mouth, and…and she cries in her sleep. Some nights, it is louder than others, and I don’t know what to fucking do. It breaks my heart. The shit she went through and the nightmares she must be plagued with.”
Fuck! That was not what I’d needed to hear. I’d almost exhausted myself until I calmed down.
“What? You don’t want her near me. How the hell am I supposed to help?” I asked, taking off my gloves and tossing them aside before reaching for my bottle of water.
“Do you know how hard it was to come ask you for help?” he snapped. “You’re right. I don’t want you near her, but you seem to be the only person who can get her to eat. And when she was here, did she cry at night? Did you hear her?”
No, she didn’t cry because I didn’t let her.
“Yeah, I’d hear her.”
“Was it every night?”
I took a long pull from my bottle, then leveled my gaze on his. He didn’t want to hear what I had done to make her monsters go away. But I didn’t give a shit what he wanted. I did, however, care about Lace. To a dangerous degree. Where I wasn’t sure I had control over my actions when triggered.
“No,” I said as a smug smile curled my lips.
His brows drew together, and he really did look like a worried dad. I should feel guilty. But I didn’t.
“When did they stop? Did it just take her getting comfortable here?”
I didn’t have my gun in arm’s reach, and I knew he had one tucked at his back. If I told him the truth, there was a chance he’d put a bullet in me.
“I’d wake her up and tell her she was safe, and she’d go back to sleep.”In my arms. I left off the last step.
