211

MAXINE

I caught myself. I can't be kind to him. I'm going to kill him. "Just rest,” I suggested.

He nodded and his body relaxed completely. A few moments later, his breathing evened out. It shocked me. I realized he had fallen asleep on my lap, like a child. This villain had fallen asleep… on my lap.

He had let his guard down enough to fall asleep. I sat there, my fingers still gently stroking his hair. My mind was racing. I was between the pity I felt for the man he had been and the anger for the man he had become.

He had done so much harm to me, to Zel, to Liam, to so many others. But here he was, vulnerable and broken, exposing his wounds to me in a way that no one else had ever seen. Or would ever see.

I looked down at him. His face is peaceful in sleep. It was hard to believe that he was capable of so much pain and suffering. Yet, here he was, seeking comfort from me, his enemy. He was trusting me enough to let his guard down completely.

My eyes drifted to my hands that were re