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“Yeah, it’s funded by the government but those who live here are from the center. If they aren’t, it’s for other victims. Like domestic violence victims. It’s safe but now...” My thoughts went back to when someone knocked on my door earlier. I tried wracking my brain if there had been someone out of the ordinary I had seen in the building but I couldn’t think of anyone.

“Let me contact a friend. He can find out who was released from jail, and he can find out who has come and gone from here.”

I paused, meeting Cyrus’s eyes in the reflection of the mirror. “That information is confidential.”

He grunted. “You don’t know my friend.”

“I just don’t want you going after them but I’m fine with you finding out whatever information you can.” I could tell Cyrus how scary the people who had taken me were, but I wasn’t sure if he would accept it. He knew why I was scared of them but when it came to him, I knew that he would do anything to avenge me.

“I won’t go after them,” Cyrus said but I felt like there was more to his promise than he let on.

We finished packing up my clothes and some of my personal items. I would have to make another trip or two, but this would work for now.

When we were leaving my apartment, I gave the space one final look before stepping out into the hall with him.

“You good?”

I nodded. “I need a fresh start.”

“I get that.” Pulling the strap of my bag up higher on his shoulder, he hooked his other arm around me, leading me down the hall.

Once we were leaving the building, I breathed in a scent of fresh air. It was still early in the morning or late at night, depending on how you looked at it. But it smelled like peace and serenity. Things I had never felt before whenever I left this place.

“I got you, babe,” Cyrus murmured, kissing the top of my head.

I snuggled into his side as we walked toward his SUV. When we neared the large vehicle, someone came toward us and bumped into me. A sharp pain erupted through my shoulder and side, the impact almost knocking me off my feet.

“Hey,” Cyrus snapped, pulling me against him.

“It’s okay,” I reassured him. “I’m fine.” I looked behind me, finding the person walking into the building. They stopped, glancing at me over their shoulder. My stomach flipped, a sense of dread washing over me.

“Asshole,” Cyrus murmured, leading me to his vehicle.

As we neared the large black beast of an SUV, I became light-headed. The pain from being bumped into was more pronounced as time went on.

Cyrus opened the passenger door, waiting for me to enter the vehicle.

“I don’t...” I wavered on my feet, spots dancing in my vision. “I suddenly don’t feel well.”

He came toward me, cupping my face. His eyes roamed over me, widening when they landed on a spot at my abdomen. “You’re bleeding.”

“What?” I looked down at myself. A red liquid was soaking through my white sweater. I lifted the fabric along with my tank top and saw blood profusely leaving a gaping wound in my side.

“Fuck, baby.” Cyrus’s eyes were wide. “You were stabbed. That bastard stabbed you.”

That was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.

Cyrus

When my dad hadlost my mom, I never understood his anguish. Even now, I still didn’t completely understand. Our father had fallen within himself. He took care of us as best he could, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t his fault. He was stuck in his head, probably wishing he could have burnt the world down to bring our mom back again.

As Ainsley bled out in my arms, I hadn’t felt fear like that until now. The fear of losing someone. The fear of not knowing if you’ll ever survive it. I had only just found her. There was no way I could move on if she didn’t make it through this.

I didn’t know who had stabbed her as I never got a good look at their face, but it was someone who must have known Ainsley, or at least knew who she was. Maybe they were paid off. Or it was random. No, I had learned rather quickly in life that nothing happened at random. Not with the people we knew.

I was in a trance as I dialed 9-1-1. I couldn’t even recall the conversation I had with the dispatcher as I tried to stop the bleeding. I couldn’t figure out if there were any other injuries but the one in her side.

Brushing her hair off her head, I kissed her over and over. “Please don’t leave me,” I whispered, my voice thick. “I can’t handle it. I’m not strong enough. I’ve already lost so much. I can’t lose you too.”