Chapter 81: 81

NADINE’S P.O.V

By the time we got to town, it was already getting dark.

The sky was a canvass of pinks and oranges and the air had gotten chilly. My entire body protested against the stress I’d put it through but I kept moving, keeping an arm at my side to try and ease the sharp pain I felt there.

I tried to hide it from everyone, I trailed behind, hoping I’d be able to hide the fact that every breath felt like torture. I didn’t want anyone worrying about me any more than they already were.

It was easy to hide it from Joshua and Amy, they trailed in front, but Rowan was another ball game entirely. He would not let me trail behind him. He’d slow his steps until he was walking next to me, his hands fisted by his side as if he was trying to stop himself from holding onto me.

“There should be a supermarket nearby,” Joshua began. “I say we stop first and try to get some-”

“No.”

We all turned to Rowan, hoping he’d offer some reason as to why he refused but he said nothing. I had to admit, I was a bit relieved that he refused because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to handle another five minutes of walking. I already felt like I was about to keel over.

“We need supplies. We don’t have any food and we don’t have clothes.”

Rowan just shrugged. “We can go tomorrow.”

“We’re already out now,” Joshua argued. “We may as well just finish what we’ve started.”

“Go if you want to. I’m finding a place to rest.”

“You want us to split up?”

“I’m saying that all of us don’t need to go to the supermarket.”

Joshua pursed his lips, his brows drawn tight. He wasn’t a fan of the idea, and on a good day, I wouldn’t either, but I wasn’t sure how long I’d remain standing. My lungs burned and my sides felt like I’d been stabbed repeatedly. It also didn’t help that my arm was still throbbing from the implant.

“What do you think, Nadine?” Amy asked, hoping to diffuse some of the tension.

“I agree with Rowan.”

“Okay then, you two can find a house while we find the supermarket.”

Just like that, it was settled.

It only took a few minutes before we found the perfect place. It had a door that could lock and none of the windows seemed to be broken. It was a simple bungalow, but it was better than nothing.

Joshua and Amy dropped their bags before leaving for the supermarket and as soon as they were gone, I allowed myself to collapse into the nearest couch. A small groan left my lips and I screwed my eyes shut, trying to ignore the pain.

I heard shuffling as Rowan rummaged in the bag for something. I was so tired that I didn’t even open my eyes to check, not even as I felt him standing over me.

“Open your mouth,” he instructed. I didn’t hesitate, I knew he wouldn’t try to kill me.

With my eyes still closed, I opened my mouth. He placed two tablets on my tongue and a bottle of water at my lips. I swallowed it, ignoring the bitter taste as it hit the back of my throat.

“Pain killers,” he explained. “Next time, I’m carrying you.”

I finally opened my eyes. “You asked to stop because of me?”

“Did you think there was another reason? You looked like you were about to pass out. You could’ve said something.”

His eyes were harsh and filled with worry and something akin to fear. I looked away, the intensity being too much for me to bear. “I didn’t want to slow us down.”

“Having you pass out will slow us down more than you just asking for help.” He lowered himself onto the edge of the couch, lifting my head so I could rest it on his lap. “You’re in pain, Nadine, you need to rest.”

“We have a lot of ground to cover.”

“And we cannot cover it if you don’t get better. Getting to Trent’s lab won’t be easy and we need you at full strength because I cannot in good conscience let you go on that journey while you’re hurt.”

I frowned. “I’m fine.”

He shot me a bland look. “You’re cradling your side and breathing hard. You are far from fine. You were beaten and left to fend for yourself outside.”

“They tied me up.”

I wasn’t sure why I was telling him that. I hadn’t told anyone the details as to what happened. All I said was that I woke up in the woods. I didn’t want to worry them, but it’d been eating at me for the past few days and I needed to let it out.

He went still at my words, a foreign emotion flashing in his eyes. “Continue.”

I swallowed deeply and told him everything. I told him how terrified I was and how I’d killed the monster. He said nothing as I spoke, merely stroking my hair gently, his other hand holding me close. His touch was so soft and warm, but I could feel the anger radiating off him.

It was thick and dangerous, it both scared and excited me.

“I fell and couldn’t get up. I thought I’d die there until you came around,” I finished.

“You thought I wasn’t real.”

I nodded. “I didn’t think you’d find me.”

“I’ll always find you, princess.”

I allowed his words settle, allowed them fill me with comfort and solace. His words gave me the strength I needed to sit up and look him in the eye.

“You said something,” I began slowly.

“I did.”

He already knew what I was talking about, but he nodded slowly. I’d avoided speaking about it until now, wondering if I’d misheard him or if he said it in the heat of the moment and regretted it. I’d been waiting for him to bring it up, to say those three words again so I’d know he meant it, but I was tired of waiting.

“It’s alright if you didn’t mean it,” I told him. “Emotions were haywire and a lot was going on. If you want to take it back, you can, I’ll pretend like-”

His fingers wrapped in my hair and he pulled me close, so close that our lips were brushing. My breath caught in my throat, my heart hammering wildly in my chest. His eyes were alight with so many emotions that my head spun.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, princess,” his voice was soft and rough at the same time. “I love you, Nadine Tyler. You found your way into my fucking head and I just couldn’t get you to leave.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“The fucking best,” he mumbled against my lips. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, our lips so close, grazing against each other. It was barely a kiss.

“I love you,” I whispered and he stilled.

“You don’t have to say it just because I did. I’m not easy to love. My father did this to you.”

“You’re not your father.”

“I could be.”

I rolled my eyes. “I love you, Rowan Caine, every part of you, even the rough and damaged parts. I know you and I know what you’re capable of. You’d never hurt me.”

He swallowed, his eyes more vulnerable than I’d ever seen them before. He pressed his forehead against mine for a long minute.

“I love you,” I told him once more simply because I knew he needed to hear it.

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