"Enjoying that, are we?" He cackled and rolled his eyes, his mouth working soundlessly to the tune in his jumbled mind.
If she could take the knife from him, they might both stand a chance. Tam stirred and threw her head from side to side, whimpering. "Mummy."
Rooney leapt, ripping the knife from his hand. He retaliated with a back hand, sending her skidding to the floor. She shook her head to clear it, realising she held the knife in her hand. She crawled to her knees as he advanced on her, a murderous rage in his eyes.
"You fucking bitch, I'll kill you both for that."
Rooney crouched, ready to pounce and push the knife home, knowing she would only have one chance. She leapt, a primal scream ripped from her throat and she brought her hand down, driving the knife deep into his fleshy gut.
The blood streamed over her face, warm and salty. Gagging, she rolled to one side, her stomach heaving. A gurgling sound reached her ears and a cold steely vice grabbed her ankle, pulling her toward him.
"No. No more, please, no more."
* * *
"Rooney, honey, shush, It's okay, I've got you. Wake up, baby." Stevie clutched her to his chest, stroking her hair as he held her tight. "It was just a nightmare, baby, I promise."
"No, he has Tam, he cut her."
Stevie pushed her back to gaze into her face. "Honey, it was a nightmare, I promise." He kissed her softly on the lips, brushing his cheek against hers. "Just relax."
She pushed him away and threw back the blankets. "I have to see." Rooney grabbed a dressing gown from the end of her bed, wrapped it around herself and ran to the door. Flinging it open, she ran toward her daughter’s room. At the doorway, she stood gazing at her child sleeping peacefully, the small puppy at the end of her bed.
She collapsed on the floor, her hands covering her mouth. The sobs escaped her fingers and Stevie crouched down beside her, holding her tight.
"What's going on?" Cade hopped out of his room, rubbing his hand over his face.
"Nightmare. She'll be okay. Russ told us to expect it." Stevie stood up, pulling Rooney to her feet.
Russ opened his door, looked to see what was happening and walked out of his room toward Rooney. He lifted her chin and looked into her face. "I think you should take a sleeping tablet. You need the rest."
She shook her head. "No. No, I'll be okay."
"I'm not asking you, Rooney, I'm strongly advising it. Your body needs to heal as well as your mind and been ripped from your bed with nightmares is doing you more harm than good. At least just tonight, okay?"
He gave her the big brother frown and she gave in. "Okay, just this once."
"Take her back to bed and I'll go get a hot milk to go with it," Russ ordered.
He headed down stairs and Stevie walked her back to bed. Plumping up her pillows, he helped her into bed, tucking her in. Holding her hand, he sat on the side of the bed. "You know I won't let anyone hurt you. You have to trust me to look after both of you from now on, it's my job."
Tears welled in her eyes and she nodded. "I know, but I can still feel the blood on my face, smell it every time I close my eyes." She looked at him, afraid she was being weak. "I don't want to fall apart. I need to keep it together."
"Maybe that’s the problem. You coped with having Tam on your own, losing your mother and then your job. Don’t you think it's time to let someone else shoulder some of the load?"
"Yes it is," Russ said from the doorway as he walked in with a steaming mug of milk and a tablet bottle in his hand. "You need to let someone else in and not be superwoman, Rooney. You have a family to fall back on now, and Stevie. The last thing any of us want is you falling down in a heap." He handed her the mug and opening the bottle, shook out one tablet for her.
"Thanks." She placed it in her mouth and washed it down with the hot milk.
"I'm serious, Rooney. You’ll have all kinds of problems if you don't deal with things. Maybe I should give you a referral to someone."
"Let me think about it. I just need some sleep without nightmares and I'll be fine. Thanks, Russ."
"Anytime. Let me know if you need anything else. I'll see you in the morning before I go to work." He waved and walked out, shutting the door behind him.
"Do you think I need to see someone?" She gazed at Stevie, reaching for his hand.
"It could be a good idea. We get the offer every time a death happens in our line of work. You'd be surprised how much it helps. Some of the guys try to bottle it up and tough it out. Funny thing is, one day it just knocks you to your knees and you don't have any choice but to get help."
"Just hold me. That's all I want for now."
She placed her hot milk on the bedside table and shuffled down under the blankets. Stevie slid in beside her, wrapping his arms around her. Rooney closed her eyes and let the world drift away.
Chapter 33
Russ ran downstairs and into the kitchen, leaving his briefcase by the door. He walked over and slid a mug under the coffee machine, grinning at Essie.
"What's got you so happy this morning?"
"Essie, today is going to be a better day than yesterday. That's enough for me."
"I suppose it would have to be after yesterday. Bacon and waffles for you this morning?"
"Sounds wonderful. Is Rooney awake, do you know?" He poured his coffee and took a seat at the island counter to wait for his
