Page 61 of Vengeance

“I know that too.”

“Doc is dead,” he breathed.

Her expression tightened. “You think I forgot?”

“No, I don’t,” he said.

“Then stop talking to me like I don’t understand what’s happening.”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “I’m saying the timing is wrong.”

“The timing has been wrong since the day we met,” she grumbled.

“That doesn’t make this thing happening between us smart,” he insisted.

Chloe stared at him. “Is that what last night was to you? A bad decision?”

“No,” he breathed.

“Then what was it?” He wanted to tell her that it was everything. The word rose inside him, but he couldn’t force it past his lips. Instead, he reached for her hand. She allowed him to take it, but her fingers remained stiff in his.

“It was the best night of my life.” Her expression softened slightly. “And that terrifies me.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because Dante destroys everything I care about,” he admitted.

“He hasn’t destroyed us.”

“Not yet,” he grumbled.

Chloe pulled her hand away. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” he asked.

“Turn him into something unstoppable,” she said.

“You don’t know him like I do,” Vengeance insisted.

“No, I don’t.” She shifted closer. “But I know you.”

He laughed bitterly. “You’ve known me for two months.”

“I know you wake up every morning and check every door and window before making coffee.”

“That’s just my survival skills kicking in,” he said.

“I know you always give me the larger portion at dinner even when there isn’t enough food,” she almost whispered.

“I’m not hungry,” he lied.

She barked out her laugh. “You’re always hungry.” He frowned, but she continued before he could argue. “I know you keep Savage’s damaged Colt beneath your pillow even though it can’t fire.” His gaze automatically shifted toward the pillow. “I know you sit outside when your nightmares get bad because you don’t want to wake me.”

“Chloe—” he breathed.

“And I know you blame yourself for every terrible thing Dante has ever done, even the things that happened before youwere born,” she said. He went still, and she placed one hand over his heart. “You keep saying I don’t know you.”

“You don’t know all of me,” he said.