Beyond(48)

That he’d never forget me, and not to worry about him. He’d be safe with Lars.

I wish he’d told me how he felt.

I could have freed him.





I fill the emptiness Sam left in me with my baby. Running my hands over my stomach, I take a bite of fish from my plate.

“You need to eat the lettuce,” Dane says. “Anything green.”

I smile, feeling amused. “I’m eating as much fresh vegetables as I can.”

“Eat my portion too. You need it not me.”

He slides his lettuce and carrots onto my plate.

“Dane--”

“No arguing,” he replies. “You and the baby’s health is my top priority.”

I shut up and eat his vegetables.

“It’s hard for you to have a balanced diet but we can do what we can,” he continues. “There’s some tinned corn and stuff like that you can eat. If you need anything let me know and I’ll venture out to get it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You’ll probably come back with another ex of yours.”

His lips tighten. “Baby--”

“I was joking.”

“I know you miss Sam,” he says quietly, studying me. “He loved you, you know that right? His mind was obviously messed up. In his head he thought he was helping everyone in the castle. He fucked up. Maybe he has some issues to work out. What he did was… out of his character. Fucked up. Wrong. But I know that he loved you.”

I shrug. “It’s in the past now. Time to move forward, you know?”

“Olivia…”

“Yes?” I ask, putting my fork down.

“I can be your best friend,” he says, ducking his head. “I want to be everything to you. Your husband, your lover, your protector, and your best friend.”

I put my hand on top of his. “You already are.”