Page 105 of Dark Alliance
I’ll do that after I tend to her and patch things up. One thing at a time, and she’s my priority.
That’s new for me. Care before murder.
I squeeze her ankle, rubbing her insole with my thumb.
Her face crumbles. “The cameras. You saw.”
I nod.
Covering her face with her bag, she sobs quietly. “I’m so e-embarrassed.”
“Cat, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your only mistake is reasoning with a psychopath.”
“Is Nino still alive?”
“I came here first.”
She peeks at me. “That can’t have been easy.”
So shedoesstill understand me. “You have no idea.”
“Oh, I have some idea.” She gingerly touches her reddened cheek, though thankfully, she isn’t exhibiting the type of pain that would suggest a fracture.
“He…” She chokes on her words.
She wants to tell me he scared the living shit out of her but can’t get it out. The visceral fear she has of her brother has stolen her voice. Hell, it’s taken possession of her entire body.
I failed her. Again.
None of this would be happening if I’d just convinced her to stay with me at the safe house.
“He’s never going to lay a hand on you again, Cat.” I hang my head. I could’ve lost her. This could’ve been so much worse. I could’ve watched him murder her on camera and been unable to do a damn thing.
Never again.
I’ve recovered from a lot of bullshit in my life. Endless violence. My mother’s slow demise.
But I’ll never get over this woman.
I inch up on the bed, my arms aching for her.
My hand glides up her calf, up her thigh, and travels higher, until I snag one of her hands and tug her to me.
Cat drops her purse and buries herself in the safety of my arms.
Closing my eyes, I breathe her in. My god, I’ve missed her. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you ever again. I swear.”
She raises her lips to mine.
Our gentle kiss quickly grows heated, our lips and tongues making up for lost time. I caress her neck and her back, holding her tight to my chest. Occasionally, I pull back to wipe her tears and peer into her eyes.
I need her to understand I’m here and never leaving again.
Cat lies back on the bed, guiding me down with her. Side by side, we continue to kiss and touch each other as if for the first time.
My hand slides up her back and unhooks her bra. She sits up to strip it and her t-shirt off.
I marvel over every inch of her. “You’re so beautiful.”
