Page 63 of Shattered Queens: Veronica
He raises a hand, not to touch, but to simply hover near my face, his fingers trembling slightly. His voice is rough with something that isn't pain from his injury. “I saw the way he was looking at you."
The anger drains out of me, replaced by understanding. This is his default setting: protectiveness veering into possessiveness, a raw fear of losing me that he doesn't know how to express in a healthy way. I lean into his hand.
“You didn't need to do that."
His eyes search mine in the dim light. "It's just…the thought of anyone looking at you that way…it makes me lose control."
"You don't need to lose control," I tell him, stepping closer so there's no space left between us. My head rests against his chest, and I can feel the steady, strong beat of his heart beneath my ear. "You need to trust me."
He sighs, a deep, ragged sound that vibrates through his body and into mine. His arms encircle me, holding me close, careful of his injured side. "I do trust you," he murmurs into my hair. "It's the rest of the world I don't trust."
We stand there for a long moment, the silence now comfortable, filled with unspoken words. In the quiet darkness, there's just the two of us, holding onto each other, the lingering tension slowly melting away.
“I thought you were ignoring me on purpose. That you had your fun with me and went back…back to Gemma or to someone else at the club.”
He takes my face in both hands. “I don’t like you being insecure. You have no reason to be.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t respond. It was a long night.”
“Will you tell me?” I’m waiting for him to brush me off.
He holds my gaze, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “Yes,” he promises. “But let’s get some rest first.”
He leads me to his bedroom. I’ve never been here, but it’s what I expected from Miles. Minimal decorations, it’s as if no one sleeps here. He usually stays at my place. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he moves toward the bed and takes a seat at the edge of the mattress.
“Will you help me with my shirt?” he asks.
I nod and stand between his legs. I see him wince as I help him undress. “You need some pain pills. Do you have any?”
“Yes. Tomas gave me some, but I don’t want to take them. I want to be here with you.” He wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my chest. “Stay with me tonight?”
With my fingers in his curly hair, I reply, “Okay.” I pull back and continue to help him. Once I’m done and put him in bed, I start to undress, sliding off my boots, then pulling my sweater dress over my head. I stand here in nothing but my lace panties and bra. A groan escapes him. Fuck, lying next to him is going to be difficult.
“None of that.” He huffs a dry, painful laugh and closes his eyes, finally letting his head sink back. The silence that follows isn't awkward; it’s the kind of silence that comes after pure exhaustion. I slide under the heavy covers, the coolness of the sheets a sharp contrast to the heat radiating off my skin.
“I had an altercation with Eric Harrison last night.” I sit up and look at him.
“What?” The word is high, panicked.
He doesn't open his eyes right away, continuing the story with a heavy kind of resignation. “It wasn’t pretty. Honestly, if Felix and Damon hadn’t shown up, I don’t think I’d be here right now. I can handle myself, but one versus six, well…the odds weren’t in my favor.”
He pauses, a slight, humorless smirk touching the corner of his mouth before it fades into pain. “I damaged Eric’s ego, not to mention his face.” He finally opens his eyes and looks at me. “This is the result,” he continues, his gaze intense and unwavering.
I jump out of bed, grabbing the pain pills from the bedside table.
"You're taking these," I say, my voice sharp with fear and adrenaline as I hold out the pain medication. He doesn’t argue this time. He sits up carefully, wincing, and takes the medication, swallowing it dry. Reaching out, he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch careful. “That,” he says, “is the long-night part. The part we’ll talk about tomorrow, when the medication begins to work and I can breathe without wanting to scream.”
His hand rests on my neck now, thumb gently stroking my jawline. He pulls me down until my forehead rests against his uninjured shoulder. “I'm okay. I’m here, and you’re safe.”
I try to sleep but can’t. What happened that caused Miles to get hurt like this? From what I know, Eric is dangerous and powerful. What ifhe’s retaliating? Fuck, it’s just another one of my mistakes coming back to haunt me. I toss and turn until I feel Miles roll over and cocoon me with his arm.
“For fuck’s sake, go to bed," he rumbles into the back of my neck, his voice thick with sleep and lingering pain. "If this is how you’re going to be when I tell you something, then I won’t tell you any more.”
“Miles…” I start, my voice cracking. I want to apologize, to tell him I’m sorry for being the reason he’s hurt.
“Shhh…sleep,” he commands, his breath ghosting over my skin.
He doesn’t move his arm. Even in his state, he’s trying to anchor me, to stop my spiraling. It takes a long time, but eventually, his breathing deepens into the heavy, rhythmic cadence of sleep, and I follow.
Slowly, I open my eyes and find Miles on his laptop. I seriously hate that thing. “Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
