Page 125 of Wallflower

“You don’t have to worry so much, Nurse Morgan. I’m just tired…and sad.”

“I know, but I want to make it better.” The words roll so effortlessly off my tongue, I realize they aren’t a lie.

She nods shallowly. “I want to know what happened to her. Maximus said the most horrible things, and after seeing the state of her room, I can’t help but wonder if what he said was true, and not just a threat to keep me in line.”

“Bucky’s searching every hidden corner of that computer system, if there’s even a trace of her, he’ll find it.”

“What about Karson?”

“He hasn’t come back. Not that we’ve seen, anyway. He could have creeped up on the side, saw what was happening, and took the opportunity to run.”

“He’ll know what happened to her, we have to find him, Rip.”

“How will he know about your sister? He wasyourhandler.”

“He cared for Chelsea, spent all of his available time with her, protecting her. While still trying to keep me safe because she demanded it.”

I hope she’s right. It could be just as likely Karson killed her sister. He could have fucked her to death, and left Maximus to clean up the mess.

“I’ll have Bucky dig into everything about him. Know his last name?”

“No,” she replies.

“It’s ok, we’ll figure it out.” Silence hangs, balmy and comfortable. She inches closer, sliding her hand around my waist to urge my body towards hers. I scoot across the mattress until every inch of us is aligned. She lets out a content sigh, resting her cheek on my chest.

I’ve never been touched like this. For nothing but comfort and a need to know I’m there. No expectations. No implications. Just her soothing my worry with the gentle travelling of her fingers down my sternum. They tickle as she descends my abdomen, dancing through my treasure trail, and swirlingaround my belly button before skimming back up to the top to repeat the process all over again.

Holding her close, I shift onto my side, resting my chin on my propped up arm. I’m about to destroy this euphoric peacefulness with the words she needs to hear.

Rose snuggles into me, breathing deep, as I drape my arm across her, thumb moving in absent-minded sweeps across the soft skin of her hip. “I did a bad thing…”

Her gentle circling fingers pause their dance along my spine as she registers my words. “I apologize if this comes out as blunt, but what the actual fuck does that mean?” Rose gradually inches back, away from me, taking her heat with her. “We did many bad things.”

Yanking her close, because fuck the distance she’s trying to force between us, I reply, “I did something when I was away. I wanted to surprise you when I got back, but then things got crazy.”

She looks up at me, both hesitant and excited.

Gods, she’s perfect for me. Giving me that fear I fucking desire, but also enjoying the darkness woven through my skin. “I killed someone…well, multiple someones.”

“Can you just spit it out? Stop being so cryptic.”

“Promise you won’t be mad?”

Her eyes narrow to slits. “No.”

Damn, okay then. At least I can run faster than her if she decides to kill me.

I wonder where she put that gun I gave her…

“I paid your family a little visit while I was away,” I mumble somewhat quietly.

“Rip…”

Her breath hitches when I grip her impossibly tighter, dragging her body up mine until our faces are aligned, sharing the same fluffy pillow.

“Are they…?” she whispers.

“Gone,” I confirm, waiting leisurely for her to punch me or finally swallow my cock in gratitude.