I was shocked to hear the confession come out of my mouth.
What in the world, girl? Don’t become an object of pity!
“Never mind. Forget I—”
“I love to hold you. I could hold you like this all night long.” He buried his face in my throat, and his warm breath on my skin turned my brain to mush. Then his voice dropped to a whisper. “I hope you can tell me about it someday. I want to know everything that ever hurt you.”
I squirmed a little on the inside, but didn’t push him away. I knew he wasn’t asking out of morbid curiosity, but that left me wondering what reason hedidhave.
“Why?”
“So I can help you heal, and I’d like to avoid triggering you.”
I had the past bottled up tight, and I knew it wasn’t healthy, but if I pulled out the cork, all that black acid would eat away at me from the inside out.
“I don’t know, Rome.” Grabbing onto my courage, I admitted, “I’m afraid.”
“Of what, baby girl?” he murmured against my neck. “Nothing you could tell me will drive me away. I won’t see you any differently.”
“Maybe someday,” was all I could comfortably commit to.
“You can set the pace. You can tell me anything you want, anytime you want, in only as much detail as you want.” He pulled back and looked into my eyes. “Could you at least tell me whatnotto do? It hurt me that I caused you to panic that day in the motel.”
And there goes my heart.
I nodded my head and opened my mouth, but a noise came from the darkened living room, and I craned my neck around Rome to see who else was awake.
“Did you hear that?” I asked.
“Kerry’s sneaking out again.” He lowered me back to my feet. “It’s my turn to intercept him. Jeez!”
“Yourturn?” I followed him into the living room, closing the balcony door behind me. “Where is he trying to go?”
“I don’t know. He won’t say. Jax and I don’t let him leave, and he’s not in too great a mood when one of us stops him. Wait here and I’ll be back.”
“No, I’m coming, too.” I rolled my eyes at the look on his face and followed him to the front door. “And why not let him go where he wants to? For all you know, he wants some space or to go for a run. I know I’d be climbing the walls in his place.”
“And what if he gets into trouble with the police or turns tiger? What if he runs into Titus while the Huskarls are patrolling? Despite recent events, they aren’t exactly on the best terms, and Kerry’s spoiling for a fight.”
“I’d pay to see that! Kerry wouldsotake Titus.” I grinned up at him. “Anyway, he probably just wants to go question his contacts. At night, in the dark, is when evil things come out.”
“Exactly.” Rome folded those big arms over his chest.
“Come on. We’ll follow him.” I grabbed my coat from the hook by the door. “We’ll watch his back.”
“No, Mira. We’re too vulnerable, especially if he’s going into a demon-infested area. It’s a bad—”
“Then I’ll go by myself.” I reached for the door knob..
“I don’t think so.” He pulled me back with a hand on my shoulder. “You wait here andI’llgo.”
“Wasn’t asking for permission, Aalders. I’m going.”
“I’m not letting you go after him alone.”
“Then hurry up and come on, before he gets too far ahead.”
#
