Page 80 of Midnight of Ashes
Knox and Easton were quiet for a moment. It was Easton who finally cleared his throat. “He’s been dealt with.”
“Dealt with…” My words trailed off as things became clear. “Oh.”
Knox pressed a kiss to my temple. “Don’t have a moment’s guilt. Behavior like this. It’s never a one-off. We’re ridding the world of someone who would go on to hurt countless more women.”
My stomach twisted at the thought. Knox was right. There was no way I was the first, and I certainly wouldn’t have been the last. I doubted Brent’s previous victims had the kind of support and backup I did. They’d likely had to deal with it alone.
But I wasn’t alone. Not anymore.
“Knox is right,” Easton gritted out. “Death is a kindness for that piece of shit.”
My focus shifted to him, really taking him in. I could see the fury beneath the surface, but I could also see the concern. For me.
“Not going to argue with you there.”
He just grunted. “Are you hurting?”
I shook my head. “Not really.”
“So, yes,” Easton said, starting to rise.
I grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Just a little muscle soreness. Nothing that requires medication.”
Easton studied me for a moment, trying to read whether I was telling him the truth.
“I’m not a martyr. I’d tell you if I needed the good stuff.”
I was hoping for a flicker of humor in his expression, but there wasn’t even a hint.
“I’m okay,” I promised. And physically, I was. But I knew that mentally and emotionally, it was going to take some time.
Easton lifted a hand to brush the hair out of my face. “You need time to rest and heal.”
“Don’t we need to keep up our normal schedules? I’m not an expert on getting away with murder, but that seems like a good place to start.”
Knox chuckled. “She has a point.”
“I don’t have morning classes today, so I’ve got a few hours before I need to be on campus,” I said when Easton scowled again.
“We don’t have anything until eleven,” Knox said. “We can have a good breakfast and take it easy until we leave for campus.”
“Fine,” Easton huffed.
My lips twitched. “Thank you for worrying.”
The scowl just deepened. “Stop thanking me.”
“You can’t control who I thank. I’m just letting you know that I appreciate your concern.”
He huffed out a breath. “Okay.”
Easton was quiet for a moment before slowly lifting a hand to my face. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
My breath hitched as my heart sped up.
Easton’s throat worked as he swallowed. “I can’t stay away from you anymore, Hayden. I tried. So damned hard. But you smashed through every defense.”
A war erupted inside me. One part of me howled in victory. But the other part had me frowning…
