Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(30)

“Any man who abuses those who are weaker and defenseless deserves to have his balls cut off.”

Rio smiled. “Indeed they do. I’ll spare you the details but he was repaid in kind.”

His heart felt a little lighter. Not as heavy as it always did when he spoke of his sister. Grace looked like she wanted to go track the bastard down and kill him all over again. He found that ferocity very attractive in a woman.

“I’m glad,” she said. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if she’d gotten a chill. “It’s the most helpless feeling in the world not to be able to fight back.”

“You’re not helpless anymore, Grace. You’ve got me.”

She squeezed his hand, curling her fingers tightly around his. “They took something from me, Rio. Something I may never get back. I hate them for it.”

He scooted even closer, pulling her hand until it rested on the top of his thigh. “What’s that?”

Her face creased in anguish. “My sister. They took my link to her. I never realized how much I depended on it and her until it was gone. I hate the silence. I feel so…alone.”

Rio carefully pulled her into his arms and laid her cheek against his chest. “You’ll get it back. I have some exercises for the mind that may help. You’ve been through hell, Grace. You can’t expect to come out unscathed. You have to heal. Not just physically but mentally as well. Especially mentally. Your body will take care of itself, but your mind has been deeply bruised by all you’ve endured. It’s likely shut down to protect you. It’s in survival mode just as you are.”

“You make me feel hope,” she whispered against his chest. “I’ve been without hope for so long, butr s with you, I can remember what it feels like to believe and have faith.”

He held her for a moment longer and then finally pulled away. “We’ve talked enough for one night, I think. I’m sure you’ll have more questions when you’re not falling-down tired. You need to rest and completely heal. I’m not going anywhere. We can continue this conversation tomorrow.”

She nodded and he tucked her back underneath the covers. Then he went to the closet, pulled out several blankets and some extra pillows. After arranging a comfortable spot on the floor, he turned back to her. “Ready for lights out?”

“Yeah,” she murmured.

Already she’d snuggled into the pillows and was lying on her side facing his direction. She looked tired. Worn down. Like she’d been through hell. And yet he’d never seen a woman who looked more beautiful to him. Maybe it was because he’d seen the heart of her. Her spirit and resilience.

Grace had made a huge impact on his life in the very short time he’d known her, and he knew he’d never forget her.

He reached for the light switch and doused the room in darkness. Then he crawled beneath the covers he’d arranged and closed his eyes. His muscles screamed their protest, and fatigue beat relentlessly in his head.

He had almost drifted off when he heard her soft whisper.

“Rio?”

He opened his eyes and half turned in her direction so he could hear her.

“Are you awake?”

It was said so softly he almost didn’t hear her.

“Yeah. You okay?”

There was a long pause.

“Grace?”

“Would you…” She trailed off like she was having difficulty asking what it was she wanted. “Would you sleep with me? On the bed, I mean? I feel…safer…when you’re near.”

His chest did funny things. His heart turned over at the fear and hesitancy in her voice. Hell, he’d move a damn mountain for her.

He pushed himself upward and then flipped on the lamp. She blinked and then peered anxiously up at him.

Then he pulled the covers back and crawled into the bed. He reached back to turn off the light. Once again darkness settled over the room, and he turned back so they were facing each other, though he could barely make out her features.

They lay there silently, so still he couldn’t hear her breathe. She was stiff and completely immobile, but he could tell she hadn’t relaxed or gone to sleep.

“Come here,” he said quietly.

He lifted his arm and she immediately snuggled into his embrace. Her body was a warm shock to his, flush against his chest, her legs touching his.

He remained still, waiting to see if she’d react or if she seemed uncomfortable with his proximity, but to his surprise, she burrowed farther into his embrace, emitted a sweet-sounding sigh and then settled limply against him.

“This better?” he asked.

She nodded against him, her head bobbing just underneath his chin.

For several long moments, he lay there, unsure of what to do next. Finally he lowered his arm, curling it around her midsection and anchor

ing her to him. She didn’t even stir. She’d already fallen asleep.

He relaxed, letting his head and hers sink farther into the pillows. She felt small and slight next to him, and he was further reminded of just how fragile she was and yet how much inner strength she possessed.

He turned his mouth nedy immodown until his lips brushed over her hair. “Good night, Grace,” he whispered.

CHAPTER 15

GRACE awoke with a throbbing headache. Her brow wrinkled at the effort it took to open her eyes. She lay there a moment as she evaluated her body and her injuries. Then she lifted her arm, examining the place where the bone had broken. She flexed and extended her fingers, but other than a little stiffness, all seemed well.