Chapter 49: RYDER

"Ryder?" Her voice sounded groggy with sleep.

"I'm here baby girl."

"I thought it was a dream." For a few seconds more, she held on tight until she came fully awake and reality set in. Then she tried easing away from me, but I wasn't yet ready to let go.

I knew that once I did, the fear would be back in her eyes, and it was killing me that, once again, I'd handled things so poorly. I should've waited until things were settled, but still, how could I have done that, knowing she was in trouble?

There was no threat of immediate physical danger, and I knew I had to take things slow and be extra careful with the way I handled things in the next few days. I came here knowing that I would have to leave her physically for a few days at least, but I couldn't wait to reforge the bond that had been broken. Now I was having second thoughts about my strategy.

There was no hope for it, though, no turning back, and all I could do was make sure she knew that I won't ever leave her again, that I was he