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I laughed and wiped at my eyes as some of the heaviness in my chest eased

“He brings rin

Eli smiled “See, it’s true love”

We fell silent for a s – the first kiss, the falling in love for the first time… other stuff I probably shouldn’t mention”

Eli chuckled and softly said, “A lifeti on his left hand Heand handed it to me “Turn it over,” he said

I did and saw that the phrase A Lifeti “Wow,” I said I handed it back to him and watched hi that Jace gavehe even wanted? He’d talked about us being a faet into any details of what the future held Hell, I didn’t even know if he was okay with ether What would happen once the threat to oing to stay here at the house? There was plenty of protection now – I’d seen thethe perimeter myself There was no reason for Jace to stay

I adhI had to believe he wasn’t only staying because he wanted to make sure I was safe

“Hey,” Eli said gently as he touched my hand I looked up at him and saw him pointedly look at my arm

The ar my nails into

God, what the hell rong with me?

“Why won’t it stop?” I whispered

“What?” Eli asked softly

“This voice into leaveto hate h my head about you, about Dad” I looked atthat makes sense to me?”

Eli got up and quickly put Willa in the crib, then came around toon the edge of the bed He did the same and faced me so he could take my hands “That stuff in your head, Caleb… it’s yourto protect yourself froht hurt less when he actually does If you prepare yourself for me to hate you, then it won’t matter as much if that’s what happens That’s the shit that’s not real,” he said

“It’s been two years and I’nore that voice in my head that says I deserved what Jack did to me I watched the video I saw hi excuses that it was somehow my fault It’s Jack’s lies that speak the loudest It’s the lies of the men who used me when I was a kid that try their damndest to still be heard I wish I could tell you it will all just stop when Jack goes to jail or you and Jace embark on the next chapter of your lives or” – he looked pointedly at Willa – “you beco to add to the lies It’s work, Caleb It’s such fucking hard work But that voice will get quieter and, God willing, when it goes silent for the final time, you won’t even realize it at first”

I nodded and then he was easing me into his ar to turn o find Jace and you look at the truth in his eyes when he tells you he’s exactly where he wants to be You pick up that little girl and then ask yourself if she’d really be better off without you I’ll bet you all the fucking Sno Balls in the world that you won’t ever hear the answer that voice in your head is trying to convince you that you will”

I sighed and leaned into hi time When I pulled back, I wiped at my face for what had to be the hundredth tio ask Jace a question”