Exton

I nod my head, afraid of doing anything that will startle her or make her move. Her hands are so soft... My voice is deep and raspy when I speak, thick with unshed tears. “I am so sorry this happened to you. If there was any way I could change things for you, I would do it in a heartbeat.” and kill every one of those fucking bastards that touched you with my bare hands....

My thoughts are interrupted by a soft scratching at the door.

Raina hands Star the glass of wine, “Drink up. I bet I know who this is and you won't be able to hang on to your glass once I open the door.”

Star drinks half the glass and sets it down as Raina opens the door and Panther wanders in the room. Sensing Star is upset she goes to her and lays her big head in her lap. As Star pets the big cat she gets sleepy and can't seem to keep her eyes open. Soon she is asleep in my arms.

“Wow…" Raina says, "that was quick. Poor little thing... Do you want me to help you get her upstairs? She can stay with me...”

I shake my head. “It would scare her to wake up in a strange place, and I can't take her to my room, gods knows what she would think of that. I'll just stay here with her, that would be best, I think.”

Raina nods and leaves the room for a few minutes, returning with a pillow and a blanket. “Here, but before you get comfortable, go take a break, clear your head if you can. And don't look at me like that, I do remember what you are like when pissed off. Go punch a wall, kick something, beat up the drunks at the bar that are giving Monty a bad time, something. I will stay with her until you get back.”