Dark Side of Dawn: The Nightmare Chronicles Read Free Page B

his throat. It was a ragged sound. “I thought you might want to talk to Dawn.”
    Amanda’s gaze was blank as it turned to him. “About what?”
    “About what happened.”
    Her features hardened, just the slightest bit as she looked at him—as someone who had just betrayed her trust. “I don’t.”
    I respected that. Hell, I was glad for it. This was not my specialty, and even if it was, this was way too close for comfort. Part of me was annoyed with Noah for suggesting it, even though his heart was in the right place.
    Thankfully, before Noah could say anything else, Amanda’s parents arrived. Noah must have called them after he called me. Her father, a stocky man with thick gray hair, was white with shock. Her mother, a pretty little blonde, had obviously been crying, though she had pulled herself together before entering the room. It wouldn’t be long before she lost it again—I could see it in the slight tremble of her shoulders.
    Parents. Always trying to be so strong for their children. My own parents were pretty weak in the parental-support department. They were really there for each other, though.
    Noah took them both aside, speaking to them quietly. Amanda’s mother began to sob softly. I tried not to eavesdrop or stare, but there wasn’t much else to focus on, except for Amanda.
    Reluctantly, I turned to the woman on the bed, the woman who was watching me as though daring me to face her. Or maybe, like me, she couldn’t bare looking at her parents.
    “You can’t stand the sight of me, can you?” she asked hoarsely.
    I shook my head. “It’s not you. It’s what he did that’s difficult to look at it.” She deserved my honesty if nothing else.
    Her mouth trembled. “Is it that bad?”
    I lied. “I’ve seen worse.”
    That was when Noah finished talking and Amanda’s parents came to the bed. Her father was stiff and uncertain, pain etched all over his face. Her mother was bowed, obvious in her pain, but there was no hesitation. I was removed from the situation just enough to find these subtle differences in strength interesting.
    Noah and I left then. I didn’t want to witness the family’s interaction, and I don’t think Noah was comfortable around his former in-laws. They certainly didn’t try to hide the fact that they weren’t impressed to see him there. Probably, they weren’t impressed that he was the one Amanda wanted there first. Had I the inclination, I’d probably put my mind to all kinds of theories as to why that was.
    Quite frankly, I just didn’t want to go there.
    Out in the corridor, Noah cupped his hand around the back of my neck as we walked, and pulled me to his side. He pressed his lips to my temple as his fingers gently squeezed.
    “Thank you,” he said.
    I glanced up at him, my hip bumping his as we matched our stride. “For what? I didn’t do anything.”
    “You came when I called,” he replied with a soft smile. “I knew you’d know what to do if I didn’t.”
    I was flattered that he had such a high opinion of me. “I wish there was something I could do for her,” I remarked. And I meant it.
    Noah stopped walking and so did I. When I turned to ask what was up, he caught me in a kiss that made my lips tingle and my heart pound. “What was that for?” I asked, slightly dazed.
    His thumb brushed my cheek. “For being the best person I know.”
    It might not have been a declaration of love, but damn if it didn’t feel like it.
     
    We didn’t immediately return to Noah’s apartment as we met up with Amanda’s sisters at the elevators. He had to fill them in on what had happened to Amanda and how she was doing.
    All I could think about was that he had torn out a chunk of her hair. Why did I think about that? Hair would grow back. Her external injuries would heal. The injuries to her psyche should be what concerned me, but as a woman—and a rather vain, girly one at that, all I could think about was that missing chunk of hair that would take so very