Taming Coyote - E.C. Land Page 0,29

rest of the world while I spend time with only them.

“She’s actually in your room with Cody,” Raven says.

“Thanks,” I murmur, immediately, not thinking about the fact she’s already in my room. Never before has she been in there. Let alone been by herself with Cody. Not that I haven’t wanted her to be alone with him. I simply wanted her to have someone around because she was hurting.

“Coyote?” Raven calls out as I start to head toward the hallway.

“Yeah?” Turning around, I find her standing, a small bump in front of her.

Blaze is at her side instantly and I know that look. It’s one she gets when she’s about to tell me something.

“Don’t think of Tinsley as weak. She’s not Milley and needs to be shown that what she’s done, that’s not weakness. There is this brightness that surrounds Tinsley, yet she doesn’t see it. Power comes in different forms, but when it comes to her it’s brighter than most. She’s the one who is supposed to hold your heart the way you hold hers. Two spirits connecting. The animal within finds the light it needs to survive,” Raven murmurs as she leans into Blaze.

Blinking at her, I don’t know what to say. Since she and Blaze finally got together Raven sometimes speaks in riddles. But with this one, I get the point Raven is making.

Nodding my head, I turn back to go to my room. I let Raven’s words sink in just as I get to my door.

Tinsley thinks of herself as weak. That is where I need to start. By showing her that she is nothing but strength. And I am going to be the anchor for her that keeps her strong within herself.

Opening the door to my room, I find soft music playing from the stereo and Tinsley sitting in the middle of my bed, her head tilted down looking at something in front of her. Scanning the room for Cody, I spot him in his playpen asleep.

I really need to get a house. He deserves to have his own room. Plus, I’ll need him in another room if I ever intend to have Tinsley beneath me at some point.

As the door closes behind me Tinsley’s head pops up.

“Hey,” she murmurs.

“Hey, Luce Mia. You okay?” Stupid question I know, but still I gotta ask.

“Umm, yeah,” she nods, putting the pencil she’d been holding down.

Quirking a brow, I slowly make my way to the edge of the bed and peer down at what she was doing. My heart all but stops at what I’m seeing.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pick up the sketchbook to take a better look. How she was able to capture such detail in this without even seeing it is amazing.

“This is beautiful, baby.” Holding the drawing in one hand, I trace over the details with my other hand. Cody in my arms as I smile down at him.

Fuck, this is better than any photo.

It has meaning.

“Thank you.” Lifting a hand, she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear that had fallen in her face.

I put the book down and reach for her hand. “Tinsley,” I murmur.

“I . . . I’m sorry for being in your room. Cody was tired and I figured he’d sleep better in his own space. The girls said it would be okay.” The fear in her gaze is like a punch to the gut.

“Luce Mia, you can come in here whenever the hell you want to. I don’t have a problem with it. I actually would prefer if you were in here with me permanently.” At my words, Tinsley’s eyes widen in surprise.

“What?” she whispers.

“Baby, it’s not like I haven’t made it known that I claimed you. In the eyes of the club you’re my ol’ lady.” I say lifting a hand to cup her cheek. “I know me walking out the way I did earlier was upsetting for you, and I don’t blame you for being upset with me. It was a shit thing to do. After hearing what you thought of yourself pissed me the fuck off. Those men are nothing but monsters who deserve to burn in the depths of Tartarus for what they’ve done.”

Tears fill Tinsley’s eyes and as the first spills over I swipe it with my thumb.

“But what I said was true. I’m filthy to touch. I can still feel their hands. The pain of their touch. Their voices still fill my head. You don’t want someone who has