Avery clung to his shirt. “No please, please don’t leave me here alone, J. I can’t stay here alone,” she sobbed. Josh put his arms around her, holding her tight and rubbing her back. His familiar scent relaxed the muscles of her throat a bit. “Okay, okay, I won’t go, I promise. I will never leave you again, Avie, you hear me? It’s over, you’re safe now. I’m here, always will be. I promise.”
