I bit my bottom lip to stop the tremble. I shook my head, tears welling once more.

“What? What is it? The pain meds should still be working. Do you need a drink, food?” Lucas straightened to check me over.

“He can’t be here,” I whispered.

Lucas paused. He went to his knees beside the bed and looked at me. “But why?” he asked.

It was difficult, but I lifted a hand, ignoring the stabbing pain in my back and wrist, and covered my eyes as the tears slid down. “He can’t be here” was all I said again.

“West, honey, I don’t understand. You left him because you didn’t think he held anything for you. But anyone who was there could see he does. He cares for you a lot.”

“He can’t,” I tried again.

“Why, West? Please make me understand.”

I couldn’t. Adrik wouldn’t understand.

Closing my eyes, I shook my head.

“West, honey, I need to know before he comes back to your room because, believe me, he will come back. He doesn’t like being far. He hasn’t slept. The only reason he’s not at your side now is because of his parents.” I groaned when I shook my head again. “West, you know I love you. I do. And I know you have been through so much. You’re in pain. There’ll be a lot of healing ahead. But… and I’m going to be honest here, that man out there can help you. If you let him.”

“No!” I choked.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” He ran a hand over my head gently. “It’s okay. We’ll sort it out. It’s all right.”

It wasn’t.

Adrik was…. “He needs someone better.” I pushed my hand harder onto my leaking eyes. “I’m not for him. I’m weak, dirty. I’m—” An anguished sob swept out of me.

“West,” Lucas cried. “No, no, no. You are beautiful, amazing, and strong. Do not let them win.”

They hadn’t won. What they said didn’t affect me. But their actions, what they did, had. I was scarred, damaged, no good. They had ruined me for him, for anyone.

The image of them burning the cross onto me pushed forward. It was so vivid I could almost smell my skin as it sizzled under the heat of the metal. I gagged, coughed, and fought for a breath.

“Breathe, West, breathe with me.” Lucas’s voice penetrated the memory.

A violent quiver raked over me as I sucked in the air and slumped from my elbows to lie flat on the bed.

“That’s good. Breathe.”

“Lucas,” I heard.

I stilled, paling. My fingers gripped the sheets under me.

I watched Lucas’s wide gaze turn to the doorway. “Yes?”

“Please get West a drink and some food,” Adrik said.