For a while, neither of them spoke.
Alex stayed against Eliott's chest, listening to his heartbeat, trying to follow the breathing pattern her therapist had given her years ago and had never quite let go of. Her hands were still unsteady, but the room was starting to come back into focus around her. The wardrobe was closed. The door was locked. Eliott was beside her.
When she could form words, she said, "I'm sorry I worried you."
He drew back just enough to look at her. His forehead was still damp, one arm locked tight around her shoulders. "You don't have to apologize for being scared."
"I made it worse. Keeping the messages from you."
"You should have told me." His voice gentled. "But what happened tonight isn't something you caused, Alex. The people who did this made that choice. Not you."
