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“I need to see this through,” she finally says. “Once Benton is handled, I’ll resign.” Her voice firms with resolve. “And then I’ll figure out what’s next.”
I nod, pressing my forehead against hers. “We’ll figure it out together. You don’t need a badge to deliver justice. Not when you have me and the Club.
My jeans grow tight and I want nothing more than to whisk Aerianna away and fuck her with nothing but her Ol’ Lady cut on.
Aerianna raises an eyebrow. “I’m starting to learn this.” She looks around the room. "Where's Elise?"
The question pulls me out of the lust-filled haze I’m in when Aerianna is around.
Fuck.
I scan the room, my gut tightening when I don’t see her. She hasn’t been the same since we got her back, but I figured she’d at least stick around for the party. Now? I’m not so sure.
“She’s been off,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “Didn’t think she’d slip away tonight, though.”
Aerianna squeezes my hand. “Go check on her.”
I don’t want to leave. Not tonight, not after everything. But I look down at Aerianna, and she gives me a knowing nudge.
“I’ll be here when you get back.” That’s all I need to hear. I press a quick kiss to her temple and head down the hallway.
Elise’s door is cracked open, the soft glow of a lamp barely lighting the space beyond. I knock once.
“Elise?” No answer. I push the door open the rest of the way.
I spot my sister on the floor, curled up against the bed, knees drawn to her chest. Her fingers are tangled in her hair, her shoulders shaking.
Fuck.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath, stepping inside and closing the door behind me.
Elise doesn’t look up. I crouch in front of her, keeping my movements slow, careful. She’s wound too tight, like if I move too fast, she might snap.
“Elise,” I say, voice low, steady. “Talk to me.”
She shakes her head violently, her breath coming too fast, too ragged. I know that look.
Panic.
Pure, unfilteredfear.
I clench my jaw, trying to push down the frustration clawing at my ribs. I’m not mad at her. I’m mad at the fuckers who did this to her, that I wasn’t there sooner. Mad that no matter how many bodies I drop, I can’t fix this.
“Elise, you’re safe,” I tell her, my voice softer now. “You hear me? You’re safe.”
Her head snaps up, wild eyes locking onto mine. “Safe?” She laughs, but there’s no humor in it, only something broken. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to be trapped like that? To know no one’s coming for you? To feel like no matter what you do, you’re never getting out?”
My stomach fucking twists.
I wasn’t there. I didn’t see what they did to her. And now? Even though she’s back, even though I’d burn the whole goddamn world down to keep her safe, it wasn’t enough.
She presses her hands to her temples, her voice cracking. “I can still smell that place, Carter. I can smell him. Every time I close my eyes, I’m right back there.” She sucks in a breath like she’s trying to hold herself together. “I wake up screaming.”
Goddamn it.
I exhale sharply and reach for her, slow and deliberate. She doesn’t pull away, so I rest my hand on her shoulder, gripping her gently.
“You’re not there anymore,” I tell her, my voice steady, certain. “You’re here with me and with the Club.”