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She lets out a shaky breath, nodding, but her whole body is still trembling.
I hesitate for half a second, then pull her into a hug. She stiffens at first, like she doesn’t know how to react, but then she collapses against me. Her fingers fist in my shirt, her whole body shaking.
“I don’t know how to fix this,” she whispers.
My jaw locks. “Neither do I, but I know one thing. You don’t have to fix it alone,” I tell her, my voice rough. “I got you, Elise, always.”
She grips me tighter, silent tears soaking into my shirt. And for now, that’s enough.
Elise finally fell asleep. It took a while with her body shaking, her breaths coming in those sharp little gasps that cut straight into my fucking soul. But after sitting with her, keeping my voice low and steady, she finally drifted off. I don’t know how long it’ll last. Probably not long. But for now, it’s something.
I step out of her room, shutting the door quietly behind me, and find Pretty Playboy leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed over his chest.
He straightens when he sees me. “How’s she doing?” The worry in his voice is evident.
I drag my hand down my face. “Not good.”
He nods like he expected that answer. “Can I stay with her?”
I think about our conversation in the van and know this is the right person to help Elise when I can’t be there. “Yeah,” I say, glancing back at the door. “She shouldn’t wake up alone.”
Pretty Playboy doesn’t ask questions, just pushes off the wall and moves past me, slipping inside the room without a sound. I hope I’m not making a big mistake.
I head for the bar, my boots heavy on the hardwood, my mind already shifting gears. Elise isn’t the only one still in danger.
Benton is still breathing, and that’s a problem I plan on fixing.
The common room is still buzzing with energy, but when I step inside, the mood shifts. The laughter dulls. Eyes flick toward me, reading the tension in my shoulders, the sharp set of my jaw.
“Church, now,” Capone demands. He kisses Danyella before stalking down the hallway to our Chapel.
I do the same with Aerianna. Before I can step away, she grips my cut. “How’s Elise?”
I shake my head. “Not good. She finally fell asleep, and Pretty Playboy is staying with her for now.”
“If you need me to be with her, I will. No hesitation.”
“Thank you, Little Kitten.” I kiss Aerianna’s forehead. “I’ll be back out in a little while. Hang out here with the other Ol’ Ladies, and don’t hit anyone, please.”
Aerianna smirks. “I’ll do my best.”
“Smart ass,” I grumble against her lips.
“But you love me anyway.” The moment the words leave her lips, her eyes grow wide, and she slaps a hand over her mouth.
“I do, Little Kitten. I love you more than I thought possible.” I confess.
“I love you, too, Carter.” I pull Aerianna against me, feeling the soft curves of her body against my hard ones. Leaning down, I kiss Aerianna and pour everything I have felt, still feel, and will forever feel into this kiss.
Catcalls erupt around us, and I pull away, kissing her one more time.
Stepping into the hallway, I make my way to the back of the clubhouse, where the doors to the Chapel stand like sentinels. With a deep breath, I push them open.
All eyes turn to me.
Time to handle business.
Once I take my seat, Bones leans his forearms against the table. “That look on your face means we’re about to get real fuckin’ busy, don’t it?”