CHAPTER NINE
The penthouse was too quiet.
After Kiera finished locking the doors and checking on Leo one last time, she returned to her room and lay on the bed fully clothed, staring at the ceiling. The city lights outside painted shifting patterns across the walls, but they did nothing to calm the storm in her mind.
Kade's words echoed again and again.
I trust you.
I miss you too.
She pressed her palm to her chest, trying to steady her breathing. Trust had never been something freely given to her. Love even less so. And yet, here she was, aching for a man who was hundreds of miles away, wondering when he had quietly become her safe place.
Her phone lay beside her, dark and silent.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled her under.
The dream came without warning.
She was sixteen again.
The house on Maple Street loomed before her, its windows dark and accusing. The air smelled of alcohol and burnt food. Her feet felt heavy as she stepped inside, the door slamming shut behind her with a deafening bang.
"Kiera!"
Her father's voice boomed through the house.
She turned slowly, dread pooling in her stomach.
He stood in the living room, bottle in hand, eyes bloodshot and wild. The television flickered behind him, casting grotesque shadows across his face.
"Where did you hide it?" he demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice trembling.
The slap came hard.
She stumbled back, hitting the wall. Pain exploded across her cheek.
"Liar!" he roared.
Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. She tried to crawl away, her palms scraping against the rough carpet, but he grabbed her ankle and dragged her back.
"Stop," she begged. "Please."
He didn't listen.
He never listened.
The bottle shattered against the wall beside her head, glass raining down like sharp tears. She screamed, curling into herself, hands over her head.
In the corner of the room, her mother stood silently, arms folded, eyes cold.
Elara watched from the doorway, tears streaming down her face—but she didn't move.
"Kiera doesn't belong here," her father slurred. "She's not mine."
The words stabbed deeper than the blows.
She felt hands on her again, rough and unforgiving, pain blurring her vision. The room spun, the walls closing in.
"Kade!" she cried suddenly, the name tearing from her throat without thought. "Please—"
Her father's face twisted into a cruel smile.
"No one is coming for you."
Kiera woke with a scream lodged in her throat.
She bolted upright, gasping for air, her body drenched in sweat. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs, as if trying to escape. For a split second, she didn't know where she was. The dream clung to her like a second skin.
Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her face.
It's over. You're safe. You're safe.
But the fear didn't fade.
She slid off the bed and wrapped her arms around herself, rocking slightly. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. Tears streamed down her cheeks before she realized she was crying.
"I'm okay," she whispered into the empty room. "I'm okay."
The words sounded hollow.
She glanced at the clock.
2:17 a.m.
The worst hour.
The hour when ghosts felt real and memories sharpened their claws.
Her phone lay on the bedside table.
She picked it up, her fingers hovering over Kade's name. He had told her to call if anything happened.
This counted, didn't it?
Her thumb trembled.
He's busy.
You'll bother him.
You should handle this alone.
She set the phone down.
But the loneliness was suffocating.
Kiera slid down the wall until she sat on the floor, knees pulled to her chest. She buried her face in her arms and cried silently, wishing—aching—for someone to lean on. Someone who wouldn't disappear. Someone who wouldn't hurt her.
For the first time, she allowed herself to admit the truth.
She wanted Kade.
Not just his protection.
His presence.
His arms around her while the world faded away.
The thought both comforted and terrified her.
A soft knock startled her.
"Kiera?"
Leo's small voice drifted through the door.
She wiped her face quickly. "Yes?"
The door creaked open, and Leo stood there clutching his stuffed bear, eyes wide and scared.
"I had a bad dream," he whispered.
Her heart broke open.
"Come here," she said instantly, holding her arms out.
He climbed onto her lap, curling into her chest. She wrapped him in her arms, rocking gently.
"It's okay," she murmured. "You're safe."
"You were screaming," he said softly.
She swallowed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay," he said seriously. "You can be scared too."
The simple acceptance in his voice undid her.
She held him tighter, breathing in the familiar scent of his shampoo and blankets. Slowly, her heartbeat began to calm.
They sat like that for a long time, two broken souls finding comfort in each other.
Eventually, Leo's breathing evened out. He fell asleep against her shoulder.
Careful not to wake him, Kiera lifted him and carried him back to his bed, tucking him in gently. She brushed his hair back, her throat tight.
"I've got you," she whispered. "Always."
Back in her room, the fear lingered, but it was softer now—dulled by love and responsibility.
She picked up her phone again.
This time, she didn't hesitate.
I had a nightmare, she typed. I'm okay now. Just wanted you to know.
Seconds passed.
Then—
I'm so sorry I wasn't there, came his reply. Are you safe?
Tears blurred her vision.
Yes, she typed back. Leo came in. We're both okay.
Three dots appeared.
Thank you for taking care of him, he wrote. And… I wish you didn't have to be strong all the time.
Her chest ached painfully.
I don't know how to not be, she replied.
The reply came slower this time.
When I'm back, Kade wrote, you won't have to.
Kiera stared at the message, her heart pounding.
She lay back on the bed, clutching the phone to her chest, staring into the darkness.
The nightmares might never fully leave.
The scars might always ache.
But for the first time in her life, Kiera Frost believed that maybe—just maybe—she wouldn't have to face them alone.
And that hope was the most dangerous dream of all.