ng with Langston trying to help her. Didn’t she know I was the key all along to her getting more sleep?
Langston is a good man. He’d do everything he could to protect her. But he’s not me. He doesn’t love her like I do. He’s not as skilled as I am. And he doesn’t have a rage growing inside him, blame for losing her again.
On second thought, maybe he is better capable of protecting her. Because I’ve failed so many fucking times. I don’t even deserve to earn the title of Mr. Black. If I’m incapable of protecting Kai, then I’m incapable of protecting the men and women who work for Black.
“No…” Kai’s bottom lip trembles as she says the word so softly I’m not sure she actually spoke.
I lean over on my right arm and scoot closer to her, but I don’t touch her. I won’t unless she wants me to. And since she can’t give consent in her sleep, I’m in a bit of a jam.
Maybe it’s not a nightmare, maybe it’s just a simple dream.
But when she says ‘no’ again, her voice is deeper, stronger, more determined than before; I know who she’s saying no to—Milo.
“Kai,” I say, calmly, hoping it’s enough to wake her up, or at least calm her brain enough to let the nightmare go.
“No, don’t fucking touch me,” Kai murmurs.
I sit up, moving as close as humanly possible to her without touching her. I run my hand through my hair in frustration.
“Kai!” I practically scream. I can’t stand her in pain. I can’t handle seeing her like this. “Wake up, baby.”
“No, get off me, Milo,” Kai says louder. Her face and hair are drenched in cold sweat, and her arms wrestle with the blanket wrapping around her.
I try to remove the blanket and sheet from her, but they are so tangled around her body there is nothing I can do without touching her.
Her face squeezes hard, as if experiencing pain. As if Milo is forcing himself inside her all over again.
Jesus Christ.
“Kai, wake up. I can’t help you unless you tell me to. Wake up, stingray.”
But Kai doesn’t wake up, she tosses in the bed, fighting an invisible man who will always be present in her mind, terrorizing her dreams.
“No!” Kai screams again, her body jerking.
I can’t stand it anymore; I have to do something. I have to make this stop.
I reach my hand over hers to pull her into my body, hoping her body will recognize mine and calm down.
“No, Enzo!” Kai screams.
Her eyes are still closed, and she seems to still be in the midst of a nightmare.
My hand floats over her body, but I don’t dare touch her, not after her words.
I wait for more.
“Stop, don’t touch me, Enzo.”
My heart drops. I don’t know what’s happening, but her nightmares seem to be as much about me as they are about Milo.
“I’m going to help you, just hold on,” I say, jumping out of the bed, and hating I have to leave her alone for even a second.
But I unlock the door and practically throw it off the hinges. And then I see Langston, pacing the hallway. I’ve never been happier that he disobeyed my orders.
Langston’s face snaps to mine with an anger I’ve never seen on his face before.
“You did this to her. She doesn’t want you anymore. Let her go,” Langston says calmly. And then he brushes past me, our shoulders connecting in rough impact as he makes his way to Kai.