CHAPTER 76

Celina

I choose the guest room to sleep in because I don’t feel comfortable crawling between Alex’s sheets in his bedroom. I lie awake for a long time and think about Alex and Kiley—Alex the killer and Kiley the young, innocent child. I barely know either of them and they’ve both changed my life. How do I reconcile what’s happening?

I never expected to fall asleep, but I jerk awake when the lamp beside the bed comes on. Squinting, I make out Alex resting his hip on the bed beside me. His tie is loosened and he appears exhausted. I fight myself to not reach out and smooth my hand across his face. The agony I read in his expression is a physical ache that hits me hard. He blinks and gains control. Now I want to wrap him in my arms because I know he’s masking the pain.

“Is there a reason you’re not in my room?” he asks quietly. His voice sounds strange. I’m not sure if he’s pissed off or trying not to startle me.

I roll in his direction which puts me closer. I smell him, he’s showered an