“Shall I kill him for you?” Tom asked, sounding alarmingly sincere. “I’d rather you didn’t,” she said in a watery voice, and blew her nose again. “It’s not nice to murder people, even if they deserve it, and it wouldn’t make me feel better.” “What would make you feel better?” Tom’s tone was gentle and interested, his hands comforting as they moved over her. “Just this,” she said with a shuddering sigh. “Just hold me.” “For as long as you want. I’ll do anything for you. Anything at all. I’m here, and I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
