Page 136 of Valor

“They were still open?”

I nod. “Just as she left them. He saved her, Dylan. And He sent me to that road where I found her.” Emotion burns in my throat. “What I can’t understand is why He let her be taken in the first place.”

Dylan is quiet a moment. “What I’ve learned is that some things are not for us to understand. As angry as I am that she suffered, I have to believe He has a plan for it. That something good will come of her pain. It’s the only way I survive every single day.”

I turn toward him. His focus is on Lani, though his gaze is distant. I imagine he’s years in the past, countries away, reliving the worst moments of his life. His day-to-day may be much happier now, but those moments—those memories—will likely haunt him forever.

“She’s so strong.” I shift my full attention back to Lani, trying to imagine her fighting her way free from that cabin out in the middle of nowhere. It’s not hard to do now that I’ve seen the place. “She’s always been so strong.”

“I’ve always believed she was the strongest of all of us,” he replies. “To have gone through what she did as a child and still be such a ray of sunshine even in the face of it. God blessed our family when He brought Lani into it.”

“He blessed my life with her,” I say. When Dylan doesn’t respond, I glance over, surprised to see him eyeing me with a grin on his face. “What?”

“You’re just finally being honest about it. It’s about time.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ve known for years how you felt about Lani. I think the only people who couldn’t see it were the two of you.”

“I’m not denying it anymore.” I turn back to her. “She’s everything to me.”

* * *

“No!”Lani screams and shoots up off the bed, eyes wide and wild, fists raised. I lean forward, catching her right before she rolls off the side of the bed.

She swings—her fist catching my jaw. Pain radiates through the side of my face. “Lani! Easy!”

“I— Gibson?” She freezes, giving me the chance to look into her eyes.

“You’re safe.”

“I—” She starts, but trails off, eyes filling. “I don’t know why I can’t stop being there. Every time I close my eyes.” She covers her face with both hands, so I take a seat on the edge of the bed and reach for her, but she withdraws.

“You’re okay. It’s going to take time.” I don’t reach for her again, but I don’t move either.

“I don’t want to be this person. I don’t want to be a victim.”

“Lani—”

“No, Gibson. I can’t even sleep without going back there. It’spathetic.”

“It’s trauma,” I tell her. “And it’s going to take time for you to feel okay again.”

She shakes her head. “I won’t be this. I won’t be a burden.”

“Hang on.” I take her hands and pull them away from her face. “What do you mean a burden?”

“You’re literally sitting here at my bedside.” Her gaze narrows on my face. “I hit you. Oh, Gibson, I hit you!” She tries to cover her face again as tears begin to flow again, but I keep her hands in mine.

“I will say, best right hook I’ve ever taken,” I tell her, hoping to bring at least a half smile to her face. It doesn’t work. “Lani, it’s okay.”

“I won’t be weak. Not again.”

“You’ve never been weak.”

She doesn’t respond, just keeps her eyes shut tightly and shakes her head.

“Lani. Talk to me.”