Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

him, it was al part of the humiliation and degradation process Stavros had used to beat her down. Of course he needed to know what Stavros had done, what she suffered, so he could help her. He wanted to help her. He had told her he wouldn’t leave her alone and he meant it. He’d known, from the moment he’d asked her to live for him, the extent of the commitment he was making—even more than she did. She would go through al the stages of recovery with him—what recovery she would manage—and anger would be a big part of that.
    He was locked in her mind during every waking moment, something that’d be uncomfortable for a loner like him, but for the first time in his life, he hadn’t felt starkly alone. He was different. He’d been different from his earliest memory, and now, keeping his mind intertwined with El e’s, something inside him was changing. He found himself growing more empathetic with her. He knew almost before she did what she was feeling. He felt as if his mind wrapped more and more into hers, binding them together in ways he hadn’t expected.
    â€œJackson?â€
    Her soft inquiry brought his gaze jumping to hers. “It’s happening to you, too, isn’t it? You see inside of me more and more, even into the dark places I try to shield you from.â€
    El e nodded and leaned into him. “You don’t have to shield me, Jackson. I have a few dark places of my own.â€
    â€œIs it the legacy? Is this how it works? Binding us so tight we can’t exist one without the other?â€
    â€œI have no idea how it works, only that there is one.†El e sounded bitter. “It didn’t save me, and it didn’t save you, Jackson. I don’t even know who El e Drake is anymore.â€

    He wrapped his arm around her. “I know who El e Drake is, and right now, one of us knowing is enough. We’l take this one day at a time.â€
    â€œI’m going after him.â€
    He was silent, working through the protest. He wasn’t letting El e anywhere near Stavros Gratsos, not now, not ever. He had plans to take the man out himself, but he needed distance. Time and distance. Memories were long and a sniper had a certain method recognizable to those around him. Even with El e’s testimony, they had no proof that Stavros was involved with human trafficking. The most they could get him on would be kidnapping and rape charges, and chances were the man had enough money to get off. Everyone had seen the shipping magnate with Sheena MacKenzie. They were thought of as a couple.
    â€œI am, Jackson. He isn’t going to get away with this. I’m going to start training and then I’m going to get him.â€
    â€œLet’s just take one day at a time, El e. Living for revenge isn’t a very good way to go. I know. I’ve been there and it eats away at you until your humanity is gone.â€
    â€œHe already took that from me.â€
    The dog shifted closer, and laid his head in El e’s lap. She dropped her hand onto his head and stroked the fur. Jackson smiled. “There’s no way he could ever take that from you, baby. But we’l train. And we’l get stronger.†His arm tightened, drawing her closer beneath his shoulder. “I’m going to ask Libby to come.â€
    She jerked away, or tried to, but he held her firmly.
    â€œJust listen to me. I’ve been thinking a lot about this. If you stay connected with me, between us we should be able to hold a barrier to prevent Libby from feeling the emotional ramifications of what happened to you. She’s seen your body, she knows intel ectual y already, so helping you heal wil only make her feel better, not worse. Your sisters love you, El e, and they have to help you. It’s in their natures, just as when Hannah was attacked.
    Al of you needed to help her. If we stay connected and build the shield together, I know we’re stronger than anyone else. We just need to try it.â€
    El e took a deep breath and looked out over the pounding sea. Always the same. Always different. The waves crashed against the rocks relentlessly, shooting white foam over the boulders, smoothing and polishing them even as the waves wore them down over centuries. She loved the sound of the sea, and the colors, the deep blues and greens depending on the mood. Right now the sun was climbing in the