Chapter 80

Ramon POV

The knock came at six in the morning, sharp and insistent against our door. Lake jerked awake beside me with a gasp that turned into a whimper, his body going rigid with panic. His eyes were wide and unfocused, his breathing already spiraling into hyperventilation.

“Lake,” I said quickly, pulling him against my chest. “Lake, it’s okay. You’re safe. We’re at my mother’s house, remember? You’re safe.”

But he was shaking, his hands clutching at my shirt with desperate strength. The knock came again, and he flinched like he’d been struck.

“It’s just someone at the door,” I murmured, running my hands up and down his back in what I hoped was a soothing rhythm.

“Probably one of my brothers. No one’s going to hurt you. I promise.”

It took a full minute before his breathing started to even out, before recognition filtered back into his eyes. “Sorry,” he whispered. “Sorry, I just—loud noises in the morning, they always meant—”

“I know