Page 102 of Redeeming the Villain
“Ready to go inside?” I ask her, shivering in my boxers and crop top, walking to the door and sliding it open.
She hustles inside and drops the ball by the door before jumping onto her dog bed and curling up.
“Who’s a good girl?” I whisper to her, rubbing under her jaw.
I’ve always wanted a dog since I was little, but I never dared bring one home or ask for one, not with my uncle living in the house. I didn’t want to give him something to use against us, and that’s exactly what he would’ve done.
When I glance over at Alora, she stirs beneath the cozy pink blanket with a grimace on her face.
What’s she dreaming about?
Her head rolls to the side, and a scared groan slips past her lips. Should I wake her?
She grimaces again, and I can’t bear to watch her face twist with fear a moment longer.
Rushing to her side, I kneel by the bed and gently rock her shoulder. “Hey, baby, wake up. It’s just a bad dream.”
Her eyes flutter behind her eyelids rapidly, and I nudge her again.
“I’m right here.”
Her eyes fly open, strained and widened with fear, and those bright blue irises land right on me. Her chest is rising and falling so fast, her breathing erratic.
Running my hand over her hair, I take loud, slow breaths. Following my lead, she forces her inhales to match mine, slowly calming down.
“Hi.” Her voice is raw and frail, like she’s been screaming for hours.
Grabbing her water bottle from the bed, I gently set it next to her. “Hi. How are you feeling?”
I read that POTS episodes can last days at times, and she may need to rest and relax for just as long, if not longer, to feel better.
She takes a few sips of water and clears her throat. “Umm … not great. My head is pounding, and I just feel … nauseous.”
“Can I do anything to help?”
She shakes her head, and my chest pains because I know I can’t take it all away for her.
Yesterday was a lot for Alora, not just the physical exertion, but the stress of dealing with that fucking creep. I’m going to kill him for touching her, rip and pry his soul from his body with my bare hands.
“Would you let Sunny out for me? She probably has to go potty,” Alora asks, rubbing her temples.
Smiling down at her, I lean down and plant a soft kiss on her forehead. “Already did. We played fetch and everything. We’re actually best friends now.”
Alora giggles. “Oh, are you?” Her face softens, her stare deepening. “Thank you, Malik.”
I brush her cheek with my thumb. “Do you want to talk about yesterday?” I whisper.
She holds my stare like an anchor, grounding her to the present as her mind drifts away. “The one thing I can’t stop thinking about is that everything he ever told me was a lie. A ploy to get me to let my guard down around him.” She slams her eyes closed. “God, it’s like I can’t shake the feeling of his hand on my chest … his lips on my mouth.”
My blood runs cold at the admission that he kissed her. “I’m going to make him pay for what he did, I promise you.”
She scoffs, doubting me. “No one’s going to believe me over him. He’s a legend.”
“So am I, baby.” I kiss her hairline. “And I guarantee you, he will regret what he did when I’m through with him.”
“Malik.” Her gaze flicks up to me. “I think it’d be better if I just forgot about it. I don’t want to make a scene and make everything worse.” She pauses, her mouth ajar, but she closes it without another word.
She might hate me for it, but I’m doing it anyway.
