Page 16 of No Going Back
Branna’s eyes had filled with tears and Sean had to battle back his own emotions while she whispered. “That’s amazing. Thank you.”
“For now, get some food and some sleep. Sounds like you both need to rack out for a dozen hours. I’ll catch Arrow up to speed, and we can all talk tomorrow. Nice to meet you, Branna. Sleep well, you’re in good hands.”
Troy hung up, and Sean found himself a bit overwhelmed. He plated his omelet and joined Branna at the island. They sat side by side and dug into their food.
When she finished her last bite, Branna set down her fork. “Thank you. You have some awfully good friends.”
He sure did. And the friend sitting beside him was one of the best. And one he didn’t want to lose track of again.
* * *
Branna’s entire body was made of putty. The gooey kind one of her teachers used to make instead of buying the real stuff from the stores. It never quite held together, and their childish creations always slipped into puddles after a few days.
Sean had cooked, and she knew she should clean up, but that required way too much energy.
As if reading her mind, Sean set down his own fork. “Okay. Clean-up can wait for tomorrow. I’m ready to sleep for a week. You?”
She nodded and could feel her eyes starting to close.
“Trust me?”
That had her eyes popping open. “Of course.”
His grin could be registered as a lethal weapon. A sexy, lethal weapon.
“Hang on.” He stood and lifted her into his arms again. She didn’t protest. Instead, her body sagged into his, and she snuggled in.
He walked to the primary bedroom with the dog on his heels. He shifted his weight and held her with one hand while he yanked back the covers. The move had her feeling all swoony. Or maybe everything was catching up to her.
Sean tucked her in and kissed her on the forehead. “Sleep Branna. I’m going to grab a shower and then I’ll be right next door if you need me.”
She wanted to tell him he could share the bed, but her mind was mush, and she slipped into sleep.
Later, Branna knew she was in a nightmare. She knew she wasn’t really back in the snug while it burned around her, but she couldn’t escape the dream.
Her mom’s body sat on one stool, leaning against the side wall, with the bullet holes leaking blood. Charlie lay on the floor with too many injuries to count, his body barely recognizable as a human being. Her dad sat beside her, with his lifeless body leaning on hers for support.
Fire raged around them, the smoke choking her lungs and the roar filling her head.
Prince Hawley strolled inside and sat on the table, not bothered by the inferno surrounding them. “You should have listened to me, Branna. You’re next, and I’m going to have some fun with you before you join the rest of your family.”
He reached for her, and she screamed at him to get away.
“Branna. Wake up, Branna. It’s me, Sean. Falcon. Wake up, Sally. I’ve got you. It’s a dream. He can’t hurt you. I’ve got you.”
With deep gulping breaths, she clawed her way out of the nightmare and towards Sean’s voice. The room was dark, but light filtered in from the hallway. They were in the safe house.
She wasn’t burning. Prince wasn’t here.
Branna managed to get enough breath to speak. “Sean?”
She was sitting up, and he held her in his lap, his comforting arms around her. “Yes. There you are. You’re back. Holy hell, Branna. That nightmare took years off me, and I wasn’t even living it. You’re okay now. You’re okay.”
She snuggled into his warmth and breathed in his safety.
Jabba woofed softly, and she realized his head was in her lap. She released one arm from where she clutched Sean to pat the big head. “I’m okay. Thank you. Both of you.”
Sean continued to hold her, rocking slightly back and forth as her heart settled. She could feel his heart slow as well while they sat.