Page 34 of Protected from Reprisal
“Ace.” Yara takes my hand with her uninjured one and gives it a light squeeze. “I’m a woman. I hate to say it, but that happens to most of us at some point. It’s not right, not even close. But it happens.”
“It shouldn’t,” I reply firmly. Angrily. “Ever. Anddefinitelynot to you.”
“Why not me? I can defend myself better than most women.” She pauses. “Well. Most of the time, at least.”
“Because.”
“Justbecause?”
Well, not justbecause. But how to explain why when I’m not entirely sure I understand it myself? All I know is the very thought of a man touching Yara like that, of a man upsetting her, triggering her into a panic attack, making her cry…
Fuck. It makes me want to destroy things. Like that fucking piece of garbage Winthrop, to start.
I could. It might take some planning, but I’m sure I could sneak into his house, wearing the same disguise I’ve used for some of our other clandestine missions, and show that predator Camden Winthrop what it’s really like to be scared. How it feels to be trulyhelpless.
I could do it. And I wouldn’t feel an iota of guilt. Not when I saw firsthand what he did to Yara and, like her, I strongly suspect she wasn’t his first victim.
But I won’t. Not as long as he ends up going to jail like he deserves. If he gets off somehow, though… That’s a different story. Or if he gets it into his head to come after Yara for revenge. Then all bets are off.
I’m not even aware that my teeth are grinding until Yara touches my jaw. “Ace. You’re going to shatter your teeth if you keep doing that.”
“Hmm?” I forcibly relax my jaw. “What about my teeth?”
“You look like you could crush rocks with them,” she explains. Amusement curves her lips. “I’m okay. Really. And forget what I said about the bar. Let’s focus on making dinner. And deciding what we’re going to watch tonight.”
“I thought we were watching the semifinals?”
Yara collects the dried lettuce and brings it over to the island. As she tears the leaves into smaller pieces, she says, “I thought we could watch something different. Like one of those car movies you’re always talking about.The Fast and the Furious. OrDays of Thunder. Didn’t you say that was one of yourfavorites? I checked, and it’s on streaming if you want to see it again.”
I’m actually shocked into silence for a second.
It’s not that I think Yara is self-absorbed. Nothing could be further from the truth—she’s one of the most thoughtful people I know. But to remember something I’m certain I only mentioned in passing, and not just to remember it, but check to see if it’s available to watch tonight? Offering to watch it with me, no less, when I know it’s not her taste?
Well. There’s another thing to add to the list of why I like her so much.
“We don’t have to,” she offers in the absence of my reply. “We can watch something else. I just thought it might be nice to watch something you liked, for a change.”
“I likeBattleBots. I watch it on my own. I told you that.”
“But not as much as movies with cars doing crazy things. Right?”
“I like them both,” I insist. The last thing I want is for Yara to think I’m watching her favorite show begrudgingly.
“But you like car movies better. And Ace.” Her hand comes to my arm, sending shockwaves of electricity zipping through my body. “You’ve done so much for me. Helping me in Tacoma?—”
“You don’t need to thank me for that.”
“You’ve been texting me for weeks, just to make sure I’m okay,” Yara continues.
“Being pushy, you mean.”
Her expression softens. “Pushy in the best way.” She pauses before adding, “You came here because you were worried. I know you could have waited until Sunday night, or heck, you could have driven up early Monday morning. But you came because you were worried about me.”
I chuckle. “And basically barged into your weekend plans, you mean.”
Yara takes a step towards me. She’s close enough to smell the peppermint scent of her shampoo and the faint vanilla aroma of her soap. Her eyes glint with sparks of gold and bronze. “I’m glad you did, Ace.”
She takes another step closer. “I’ve been having a tough time recently. And staying home by myself… it wouldn’t have helped. But having you here? It’s been the best weekend I can remember in a long time.”
