“Miss?” he said, reaching for me as I fell.
Not angel or Eva, but a cold and detached “miss” from a stranger.
“Are you all right?”
Why was I so utterly disappointed and—sad?
“No,” I muttered weakly, the cloud of tears stealing the last of my vision before the world turned black.
* * *
My mind was in a haze, plunged into darkness with the scents of unknown surroundings. I clutched at rigid sheets, the smell sterile and cold, but I was surprisingly warm. When I opened my eyes, I realized I was in a hospital room, and the moments just before losing consciousness hit me all at once. I’d felt light-headed, a cold sweat coating my forehead. But mostly, I’d felt empty and heartbroken. And completely aggravated with myself for being disappointed that the man I’d pursued wasn’t Derek.
Wasn’t that what I wanted?
I collapsed on the street and woke up in a hospital bed, and my first thoughts revolved around a man I could never be with—a murderer. Flipping over onto my back, I covered my face with both hands and sighed.
“Sleep well?”
My body stiffened as that voice poured over me like smooth honey. Eyes wide under the cover of my hands, I almost couldn’t bring myself to remove them, unsure of what I’d do when I saw him.
“Derek, what are you doing here?” I said, slowly lowering my arms.
“Hi.” His smile was disarming, and I had to clutch the sheets to keep myself from jumping into his arms as my heart raced, screaming for me to claim what was mine. Instead, I remained a mask of calm and indifference, and I hated myself for it.
“Hi,” I threw back at him stupidly. “Now, answer my question.”
He stood and moved toward me, and my breath hitched as I took in the sight of him. There was nothing left of the broken man I’d last seen a month ago. That cocky and intimidating man I’d met that first day was the one standing before me.
He’s a killer, Eva.
It was the mantra on repeat in my thoughts.
“Don’t you think the better question is what you are doing here?”
“I fainted. I was walking on the sidewalk… and I thought I saw—I felt dizzy.”
Looking away from him, I glanced down at my hands, the diamond bracelet jumping out like a beacon. “My bracelet. That’s why you’re here.”
“I didn’t think you still wore it.”
“I don’t. I mean, I didn’t. Today was just a coincidence.”
He chuckled and leaned in close.
“A coincidence? Eva, what are the odds that you experience a low that sends you to the hospital on the day you decide to put on that bracelet?”
I couldn’t help watching his lips as he spoke. God, it had been so long. I missed his touch, his kisses… making love to him. I was weak. I knew it. But he and I could never be. I was a homicide detective, for fuck’s sake. How could I turn a blind eye to the lives he’d taken and the ones he’d eventually take? I couldn’t be that person and live like the biggest hypocrite. Putting away bad guys by day while sleeping with a hitman by night.
“Thank you for coming and making sure I’m good, but—”
His thumb and forefinger lifted my chin, and I drowned in the sea of his eyes, raging like the ocean during a storm.
“I didn’t just come here to make sure you’re okay. I came here to let you know, to remind you, Evangelina, who you fucking belong to.” My heart thundered in my chest, core flaring to life. Words escaped me. “I don’t want you to say anything. But I was away for weeks, taking steps and trying to make things right. Trying to be the man you deserve because you deserve the world, angel.” His thumb caressed my cheek, and I closed my eyes briefly, basking in the moment. “But I can’t promise that anything will be different tomorrow, in a month, or even a year. It won’t be an easy road. But I’ll eventually gain my freedom from that life and, in return, your love.”
I shook my head. “Things aren’t that simple, Derek. It’s not about whether or not I love you. You know the answer to that.”
He smiled and ran the back of his hand along my cheek. “I’m a patient man—most times,” he added with a wink, “and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.”
