Page 11 of Walking in Darkness

“I don’t know how I can ever trust him again.” She swiped the tears from her cheek with the back of her free hand.

“I don’t know, either—and it’s up to you if you ever do decide to trust him again. But at least I believe you’re safe from him.”

“So it’s over. We’re safe?You’resafe?”

Apprehension gathered at the base of my throat. “I believe you’re safe.”

I felt the weight of her gaze on my cheek. “But you are not.”

My head slowly shook. “We’re trying to find a way to be. To stop the one who’s after me.”

Another wave of grief and pain rolled through her. “Oh God, Aria ...”

“I know. But I promise we’re doing everything we can. We’ll find a way, but until then, I need you to know what is happening so you can look out for any signs. If you feel anything strange. If any thoughts infiltrate your mind or if anyone in the family starts acting strange. I need you all to be prepared.”

She choked on her disbelief. “I don’t know how to be prepared for any of this, Aria. Don’t know how to stop it. I’m ... not as strong as you.”

I fully turned to her. “You are. Just be vigilant. Be careful. And if something happens, call me. You have my new number, and I need you to use it.”

Her head bounced in understanding, though she whispered, “You’re leaving.”

“We can’t stay here. Not right now.”

She hesitated before she asked, “He came for you? When you were in trouble?”

She peeked over her shoulder at Pax’s car.

“I know it’s hard to understand, but Pax and I are tied. Bound in a way that others are not. We will always be together.”

Tenderness filled her expression. “You love him.”

“I always have.”

Her hand tightened on mine. “If one good thing came from this, then I’m thankful for that. That he found you and you found him. That you were not alone.” Her head tipped to the side as she studied me. “Is he good to you?”

Emotion pulled at my lips. “He’s more than good—he’s everything.”

Her warm brown eyes brimmed with moisture, and she turned and wrapped me in her arms. Her mouth was at my temple as she murmured, “I love you so much. Please know that. Please take that with you everywhere you go. And I pray one day ... one day that you see the fullness of it.”

I held her close, nodding my head against hers. “I do. I already do.”

Sniffling, she pulled away, and she squeezed both my hands before she wiped her tears, then waved over my brothers and sister.

Mitch and Keaton immediately stopped what they were doing and came sprinting in our direction, and Brianna slowly slipped off the table.

Wariness slowed her steps as she followed.

“Aria! Aria!” Mitch and Keaton shouted.

I stood, and they slammed into me. A flood of affection pummeled me as I curled my arms around them.

“I missed you!” Keaton said.

“I missed you even more,” Mitch said, trying to one-up him the way he always did.

A soggy laugh left me as I hugged them to me. “I missed both of you. So much,” I murmured.

With eyes the color of our mother’s, Mitch peered up at me. A beaming smile lit his face. “Are you home forever now?”