“How are you feeling? Are you okay? Fuck…” he half growled the last. “I did this to you. I put you in harm’s way. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” She shook her head.

“If I hadn’t said those things… hadn’t driven you away.” He shook his head. His voice was raw. His eyes glinted. “It’s all my fault.”

She hadn’t expected this and was ill-prepared. “No. Wait.”

He shook his head. “I’m a fool, an idiot.” He made a rumbling noise and covered his face with his hand.

Candy turned onto her side, facing him. She touched the side of his arm. “It’s not your fault that Ellis is… was a pshycopath. You didn’t do any of it. Yes, you acted like an asshole and I’m still very angry with you but I’m also thankful.” She swallowed hard. “You saved me.” Her voice cracked.

Torrent swore. He grabbed ahold of her and pulled her to him. He held her for a while. “It should never have happened. If I could kill him again I would. I should’ve ripped off his arms, ripped off his fucking legs and left him to bleed out... he got off too easily.” His whole body shook and his voice sounded strangled.

“You got there in time. I’m okay. I swear. I’m fine.” Her heart would break when she walked away again but she would hold her head up high and she would manage. She would. She always had.

He pulled away. His face was damp. Oh flip! Torrent wiped a hand across his eyes and aside from some residual moisture on his lashes, the wet was gone.

Shit! It hurt her to see him so cut up. His soul laid bare. “Shhhh.” She buried her face in his chest and hugged him to her. “I’m fine.” Mostly. Still cut up over you. She couldn’t say it.

“Are you sure?” he cupped her cheeks in both his hands. “I’m so sorry, Candy.”

She felt herself tense. She wasn’t ready to discuss this. Not now, maybe not ever. “It’s okay. We’re good.” Drop it!

His eyes hardened with determination. He wasn’t going to drop it. “It’s not okay and I can see that we’re not good.” He shook his head.

“We’re good, we’re just fine but we can’t be together.” There, it was out. The old elephant in the room.

Torrent nodded. “Shit. Forget I said anything. I wasn’t supposed to even bring this up. I promised myself I was going to give you some time. It’s too soon isn’t it?”

She shook her head. “It’s not too soon.” Candy sat up and crossed her legs. She was wearing one of those god-awful baggy sweaters and a pair of leggings. He was wearing… just a silk sheet that barely covered his midsection.