Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

“Wanna talk about it?” For the first time, she looked up and my breath got
caught in my throat.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Sofia Raymond looking at me with those
doe eyes. She’s the only person who can annihilate me and completely
subjugate me with one look.
“I lied.” She confessed and I tensed.
Her eyes in mine and she must’ve sensed my confusion because she
pursed her lips, her arms squeezing her body tighter. She was wearing
pajamas again, but these covered way more than the ones she had on the day
we… the day we crossed that line.
“I lied to Valentina, Maddox.” She gulped, her eyes brimming with tears.
Whatever it was she dreamed about, it must have freaked her out. “I told her I
killed them— told her I killed the monsters, that I chased them away.” It took
all of me not to take her in my arms and squeeze her tight until she stopped
shaking. “But I haven’t, have I? I lied. Because monsters are everywhere, and
they will never stop existing.” She closed her eyes and a single, lone tear
rolled down her cheek to the corner of her lips. “Even we are the monsters of
someone else's story.”
If asked about it, I’ll say the fatigue made me do it, but in reality, it was
that irresistible need to protect and comfort Sofia that pushed me to cup her
jaw and bring her closer to me. Her eyes flashed open as soon as my skin
touched hers and she sent me a questioning look.
This was the first time I touched her since the morning they moved in.
I let my forehead bump into hers as I held her and she seemed to take
comfort in our proximity. Good, because it was the most I could give her
without crossing a line again.
“You’re not a liar, Sofia. You’re the goddamn best sister I’ve ever met,
all you ever do, you do with Valentina in mind. You didn’t lie to her, you
reassured her the only way you knew and we’ll catch that second
motherfucker, you have my word. I will not let him make you a liar.”