After I shed my clothes, I turn to her and watch the tears fall down her cheeks.
“Why does it feel bad, then?”
“Sometimes it doesn’t live up to the image you had in your head, but you were and are so fucking strong. I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side, Clara. You’re fucking powerful, and no one can take that away from you. Not Andrew, Ryan, or even me.”
I unzip the hoodie she is wearing and place it, along with her bra, on the pile of clothes next to the door.
“I’m exhausted.”
Knowing the physical aspect of what happened tonight was a lot, I pick Clara up and bring her to the tub.
Nothing can rival the emotional turmoil that she’s experiencing. Laying her into the water, I get in behind my dragonfly and rub the cloth through the bubbles before trailing it over her skin.
“It’s tiring being a complete badass. We’ll get you cleaned up and fed, and we deserve a good night’s sleep.” I kiss her shoulder and continue washing the blood off of her. She’s so fucking exquisite, and I can’t express the feelings that bubble in my heart. “You have a power over me. Have for years. I don’t know how to control it, but I’d walk to the ends of the earth if that’s what you wanted.”
Clara relaxes against my chest, and for the first time in my life it’s like the puzzle pieces fit right, like even though I waited for her, it all came together when it needed to and not a moment before.
“What if I wanted to kill again?” she whispers. “Would you still want me? What if I wanted to commit horrible acts on others?”
I finish cleaning both of us while pondering her question. Now would be my chance to tell her I enjoy the sight of gore, taking back power and seeing her sheer rage. I fear spooking her and stay cautious.
“Good thing I got a cleanup guy, then.”
“Why do you?”
Pulling the plug, I get out of the bath and grab towels. “CEO of a big company has to come with secrets, you know.”
“Is that what we’re gonna have? Secrets and omissions?” Clara grabs the towel from me and dries off.
Reaching for my phone, I order burgers and fries before I tie the towel around my waist. “No, I have private security for everyone who works for me. Sometimes I do illegal things, Clara, to advance in my career. As for secrets and lies toward you? I’m nothing but an open book.”
Her green gaze meets mine, and she leans in to kiss my bottom lip before heading out the door with a towel around her hair. She might be the death of me, but what a way to go.
Tidying up the bathroom, I head into the room to get ready and check my phone for progress on the food. “Don’t get too cozy,” I tell her. “I owe you burgers, and they’ll be here in five.”
“What?”
“You asked, and I deliver—well, technically they are, but you know.” I slip on a pair of joggers and a dark Henley before glancing at her drowning in one of my gym shirts. “We should go shopping, if you want. We can get all sorts of whatever you need.”
“Burke, I don’t have the money to do that.” She dries her hair and brushes past me to put the towel away.
When she comes back into the room, I grab her hand and spin her to me. “Maybe not, but I do, and I want you to feel comfortable.”
“At what cost?” Clara doesn’t look at me and fiddles with the hem of the shirt.
Lifting her chin, I kiss her nose. “Nothing. I know promises have been made and broken in the past, but all I want is for you to be safe and feel at home.”
“But what if—“
My phone buzzes and I stroke her cheek. “If you want to pay me back, have at it. I’ll funnel the money back into your account. I know it’ll take time, Dragonfly, but it’s important to me. Find something to watch. I’ll grab the food.”
She nods and gets onto the bed before flicking on the TV.
Heading down the stairs, I wonder how to approach the subject of buying her things without making her feel like she owes me. It’s nothing for me to give her what she desires, but I’m not taking away any of her independence in the process.
Opening the door, I grab the bags left at the front porch, and a chilling shiver rushes down my spine, like someone is watching. Locking up, I’m halfway to the stairs when my burner phone vibrates in the kitchen. Setting down the bags of food, I pick it up.
“Job’s done. Did you leave the front door open?” Curt asks.
