“Yeah, you have nothing to worry about.”
I hang my head, wishing that were true.
“I killed someone,” I whisper, hardly able to believe what I did in that bedroom when the fat guy began to wake up as I pulled his phone from his pocket.
“I know, Demon. And I’m so fucking proud of you.”
My brow creases. “B-but—”
“If you didn’t do that, we might not have got to you fast enough.”
I nod, trying to accept his words. I hope that one day I might, but that’s not going to be happening anytime soon.
“He was helping Jonas, baby. He was a bad man. He’d helped organise all of that. He deserved it.”
I know this. I know all of it, but it doesn’t make it any better.
“Can I see her?”
“Of course.”
Placing me down on the bed, he climbs off and takes my hand.
“Can you walk?” he asks with concern pulling at his brows.
I want to say no. I want him to sweep me off my feet and hold me as if he’s never going to let me go. But that’s not what falls from my lips.
“Yea—”
“Fuck that,” he mutters, doing exactly as I silently crave and lifting me into his arms.
“Toby, you’re hurt too,” I argue lightly.
“It’ll take more than that to stop me taking care of you, baby.”
My heart tumbles in my chest at his words.
“Thank you. Thank you for coming for me.”
“Anything, Jodie. I’d go through fire for you and you know it.”
“Sara,” I gasp, realisation slamming into me. “How’s Sara?”
“Same. No better, no worse.”
“Shit,” I hiss, really hoping that something good might be waiting for me at the other end of this.
“I’ll take you to see her when you’re strong enough.”
I nod, curling myself into his warm body once more as he carries me across the hall.
“Jodie,” Mum breathes, her voice hoarse.
“Shit, Mum,” I gasp, taking in her battered and bruised face.
“I’m okay, Jojo. Gianna’s been looking after me like a queen.” I glance at the woman she nods to who is hovering in the corner.
“Hi, sweetie,” she says with such a kind smile that my tears threaten once more.