Page 53 of Death

Yes!

I quickly dig the paper out of my pocket and say, “Santiago gave me a photo of you. You have a baby?”

“Yes. He’s just over two weeks old. We named him Kristian.”

“A boy? I have a nephew?”

“Yes, and I can’t wait for you to meet him,” Grace answers.

“He’s beautiful,” I whisper. My mind races, and when I’m stuck again, I look to Santiago for help.

“You can do it,mi sol,” he encourages me. “Tell her how you feel or what you think of my home.”

I nod and clear my throat. “I’ve picked up weight. The food here is really nice, and I have a closet full of clothes.” My eyes dart around. “It’s really pretty here.”

Grace makes a strangled noise, and her voice is thick when she says, “I’m happy to hear you’ve picked up weight.”

I lower my head, then whisper, “I miss you, Grace.”

My body begins to shudder as I struggle to keep the sob back, and Santiago pulls his chair closer to mine before giving me a hug. With his mouth by my ear, he whispers, “Tell her you slept well and that you’re learning to do things on your own, and you’re doing so well.”

I clear my throat again. “I slept in the bed and woke up late. I…I…” I struggle to focus and close my eyes. The woodsy scent of Santiago’s cologne gets through to me, and I whisper, “I have to learn to do everything on my own again, and it’s hard.”

“You can do it, Ciara. I believe in you,” Grace says. A few seconds later, she sobs, “I’m sorry I didn’t look for you.”

It all becomes too much, and I push the phone into Santiago’s hand while darting up. My chest feels like something is gripping it tightly, and I walk to the other side of the pool whiletrying to get air into my lungs. I turn around and take a breath, but it slams into my throat, making panic burn hot through me.

Santiago hurries closer, and framing my face with both his hands, he leans down and says, “Breathe, Ciara. That’s all you have to do right now. Just focus hard and take a deep breath.”

I try but only make a horrible choking sound.

He takes hold of my hand and presses it to his chest. “Breathe with me.”

My eyes latch onto his lips while I feel his chest expand as he takes a breath, and slowly the panic recedes enough for me to suck in some much-needed air.

“There you go,” he says, a smile spreading over his face. “Just keep breathing with me.”

Inching forward, I curl my arms against my chest and press close to Santiago. He wraps his arms around me and presses a kiss to my temple.

Again, it feels soothing rather than filling me with revulsion. I pull my arms free and wrap them around his waist, then there’s no stopping the tears as I break down.

I cry for the horror I had to endure at Nolan’s hands.

“I’ve got you,mi sol. You’re safe with me,” Santiago murmurs.

I nod against his chest, holding him as tightly as I can, then the words sputter from me, “T-t-thank you.”

It sounds like a promise when he says, “I’ll do anything for you.” He kisses my temple again. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.”

I only want to feel safe, and right now, I actually do.

“I just want you to hold me,” I admit while taking deep breaths of his scent.

Standing in Santiago’s arms, it finally sinks in that I’m safe. I’ve escaped Nolan, and there’s an entire ocean between us. He can’t get to me.

I’m safe with Santiago.

Chapter 16