Chapter 19

But no matter how many times she repeated it to herself, she had to fight against the anxiety buffeting her, urging her to run away before the nightmare became reality.

It wasn’t until her panting breaths slowed and the edginess battering at her mind eased that she heard sounds of distress through the connecting wall between her room and the next.

Jerking her head up, she stared at the wall as if she could see through it. “Joseph.”

Livia was at the door before she made the decision to move, her hand on the knob, poised to go to him before it occurred to her to wonder if he would welcome or spurn her. She hesitated.

Things were already strained between them. What if she made it worse? What if he—

A low whimper decided it. Even if he were pissed, she couldn’t just leave him to his demons.

On silent feet, she stepped into the dark hallway. Some sense had her looking to the left, toward Rhye and Joseph's room.

She saw him through the open door, sitting