“I… I don’t know how.”
I’m lost.
Something inside me irreparably cracked.
Diesel keeps texting. River too. Even Aunt Cassie has tried. But I can’t do it.
I can’t answer.
“Let me help. Let us help.”
“Styx can barely look at me,” I murmur.
He does all the right things. Makes sure I’m hydrated and fed and that I have enough pillows, but he barely looks at me.
“He’s worried he pushed you too hard bringing you here.”
“Kidnapping me, you mean.”
“You know D asked him to intervene.” His hand slips around the side of my neck, holding me. The brush of his thumb over my skin makes my pulse flutter.
I suck in a sharp breath. “Ry…”
“Yeah, darlin’, I know.” His hand drops away but I snatch his wrist and press his hand to my cheek.
“Thank you.”
“Like I said, anything you need, I’m here.”
Something in his voice makes my resolve crumble.
“Lie with me.”
“Kitten. I don’t know—”
“Please.”
He drags a hand down his face as he stands. “Scoot over.”
I roll into my side, letting out a soft sigh when his tatted arm drapes over my waist and tucks my body into the hard curve of his.
“I got you,” he whispers. “I got you.”
My eyes drift closed and for the first time since he held me at the hospital, I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
* * *
“Kat, have you—”
“Shit,” Ryder bolts upright, practically shoving me off the bed. I manage to catch myself, but not before shooting him a severe look.
“Sorry, man. We must have fallen asleep.”
“Seems like it,” Styx says coolly as tension ripples through the room.
“I asked him to lie with me,” I don’t know why I feel the need to tell him but the words are out now.
“I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to say to that.” His eyes gutter.