Page 49 of Death

The trauma is too much to handle after getting to see Grace, and for the first time in a long while, I’m thrown into the trance where my mind shuts down.

SANTIAGO

Ciara’s words shudder through me, but I have no time to process them when her face goes blank.

Her breathing instantly slows down, and the paper drifts from her hands as they lower to her sides.

I move closer and lean down to see her eyes. She’s staring at nothing, and having seen women check out before, I realize Ciara’s taken her mind to a safe place.

I lift my arms to comfort her, but at the last moment, I take a step backward. It’s incredibly hard not to grab her to my chest, and I’m forced to watch as she stands frozen in front of me.

The fucker forced himself on her in different ways. I have no idea why he didn’t rape her, but I’m thankful she escaped that trauma.

I rub my palms over my face before I look at Ciara again.

Fuck. Seeing all her pain and trauma hurts like a motherfucking bitch.

Unable to think of anything else to do, I lower myself to my knees and beg, “Please, Ciara, come back. You’re safe with me. You don’t have to hide.”

When she blinks and sucks in a sharp breath, relief pours through me. I wait until she looks down at me, then say, “I’m so fucking sorry Nolan hurt you. I’ll never force myself on you in any way.”

Confusion flutters over her features, then the little spark of hope she had earlier returns to her eyes.

I pick up the page with the photo of Grace and Kristian and hold it out to her. “This is yours, and you can have whatever you want. I don’t expect anything in return. I only want you to heal and to be happy again.”

Ciara takes the page from me, then tilts her head. “You don’t want anything from me?”

I shake my head. “Nothing you’re not willing to give.”

Her lips part, but then she hesitates.

“You can ask me anything,” I say to encourage her.

Her tongue darts out and swipes over her lips. “Why are you kneeling?”

Because you’re worth kneeling for.

“I wanted you to know I’m not a threat.” I climb to my feet, then add, “And it’s something you seem to do when you want something. Like you did when I mentioned the photo.”

I pull my phone out and type a quick text to Dominik.

Santiago: Send me photos of Grace for Ciara. I’m making progress with her and think we’ll be able to arrange a call between them.

I don’t expect him to see the message because it’s four in the morning, but it shows he reads it.

Dominik: That’s good news. I’ll send the photos. I’m going to tell Grace so she can prepare herself for the call.

Santiago: I’ll speak to her before letting her talk with Ciara. There are things she can’t mention.

Dominik: Send me the list, and I’ll give it to her.

The man is just as fucking possessive as I am.

Santiago: No asking about her time in captivity. No putting pressure on Ciara to meet face-to-face. She needs to be patient when talking to her and give Ciara time to process things, so if there’s a pause for an hour, Grace just needs to go with it.

As I press send, photos start to come through.

Dominik: Can we schedule a call for later today?”