“Lie down,” he orders, his tone more commanding.More him.
The sheets rustle as he pulls them back. I obey, my limbs moving as Declan asks me what I need and what he can get me.
I just want to leave, but I don’t dare say it.
“I think I’m just going to call my mom,” I tell him, doing my best not to let on to the fact that I’ll know she’ll want to see me. That she’ll push for it. I add, “I don’t want her to worry.”
“No need,” he tells me, moving the comforter up to tuck me in. “I texted her from your phone just a bit ago.”
“What?” The whispered word holds more shock than anything else and my damn heart hammers even faster.
“You weren’t here and it was going off.” He cocks a brow before reaching for the nightstand and handing it to me. His fingers blaze against mine as I take it.
“Just told her that you were feeling better but taking the week off,” he tells me as I read the message.
“She went to your place and you weren’t there. I didn’t want her to think anything bad had happened to you.”
I skim through the messages, a cold prick flowing down my skin as I do.
Mom: Where are you?Nena, you’re scaring me.
Mom: I messaged Scarlet and her phone isn’t working. No one has seen you or heard from you in a week.
Mom:Nena, please just answer me.
MISSED CALL
Me: I’m sorry, Mama. I’m on medicine and I was knocked out cold. I’m feeling a lot better. You don’t have to worry.
Mom: Where are you?
MISSED CALL
Me: Just crashing at a friend’s until I’m better. I’ll call you soon, Mama. Don’t worry about me, it’s just a cold.
Mom: You promise you’re all right?
Me: I promise. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.
Mom: Te extraño y te amo
Me: Te amo.
“Since when did you learn Spanish?”I half joke to keep it light, to not let on to the terror I feel that he’s keeping me from her. My tone doesn’t hide a damn thing, though.
He ignores my question and instead asks one of his own. “You don’t like that I answered her, do you?”
His sharp hazel gaze pierces through mine and all the blood drains from my face.
“It’s okay, Braelynn,” he whispers and the bed groans as he leans over to kiss me. He’s gentle and the single act is more comforting than I could have imagined.
He leans back and that charming smirk is on his lips again. “I want to be here when you talk to her, though, do you understand that?”
The comfort vanishes as I swallow thickly and nod. “Yes.”
DECLAN
The door to Carter’s office opens with a creak, announcing my arrival. It was ajar and when he messaged about needing to talk I headed to his wing immediately.