“Stay,” he whispers, his warm lips resting on my shoulder.
The emotion runs thick in his voice, and I can’t tell him no.
Untangling my arms from around his neck, I place my palms flat on his chest and push him down to the bed. I lace our fingers together and lower my body.
“I’ll stay,” I whisper, pressing my lips to his. “Only because you leave me no choice.”
Hours later, we collapse into a pile of sweaty arms and legs on the bed. Rex curls his body against mine, his chest pressed to my back, one arm draped over my belly, and I close my eyes.
Rex sighs and nuzzles the side of my neck. “Goodnight, Shae.”
“Goodnight.”
For the first time in fourteen years, a kernel of hope unfurls in my soul, and I fall asleep content.
Warm.
Safe.
“Who is that?” I whisper.
Cami’s answer doesn’t come as quick as I’d expect. I look up in time to see her pull her bottom lip between her teeth. She worries it back and forth several times before releasing it.
“I don’t know.” She shrugs.
I’m tempted to tell her she’s the one who sucks at lying, but that would be sassy, and my dad says I need to work on not being so sassy. Instead, I look out the window and all the air rushes from my lungs.
Papa!
r /> I stand frozen, watching in horror as a gun pushes against Daddy’s forehead. Through gritted teeth, he says something that causes the other man’s jaw to clench tight, and even from the window, I feel the energy in the air shift.
Lowering the gun, the stranger pumps two rounds into the ground at Daddy’s feet before shoving the muzzle violently under his chin.
“No!!” I push at the window, beating my fists against the glass, trying to get out, trying to get to him, but I can’t. I turn around to look at Cami, but she’s gone. Another loud pop followed by a scream has me running through the house.
“Shae!”
A hand grabs my arm.
“Shae!”
I spin around, but no one is there. The house is eerily quiet, and then I hear it again.
“Shae!”
Who is Shae? Something isn’t right.
Another loud pop ricochets through the air.
With a loud gasp, my eyes open, and I fly up in bed.
I blink several times, taking in the dark, unfamiliar room. My chest is heaving, my palms sweating, and then I hear my name again. The fog in my head lifts, and Rex’s face comes into view.
“Shae.” He shakes his head before dropping his chin to his chest. “You scared the shit out of me.” Lifting his eyes to mine, he pauses. “Are you okay? You were screaming and thrashing and you wouldn’t wake up.”
“I—it was just a dream.” At least I think it was. I’ve had dreams over the years, but they’re inconsistent at best, and I can’t be sure if they’re memories trying to resurface or my subconscious playing tricks on my heart. Since returning to Chicago, I’ve been consumed with trying to remember that horrible day, and the dreams have become more frequent.
Running a hand through my messy hair, I glance at Rex. He’s crouched at my side, completely naked, fear and worry etched across his glorious face.