“Is that what she’s calling herself now? Aro? Clever,” he says. “Hate to break it to you, but your AroisLina. Carolina. Nosister. No alias. Just Witness Protection and a new identity. She’s been in WITSEC for eight years, and I’ve been watching over her the entire time.”
My stomach drops. My instincts never questioned her story. But… it’s possible. Shit. Anything’s possible.
“Why do you think I asked you to take the Marcus job?” he goes on. “I needed someone I could trust to keep her safe. So, thank you, Sean. You did your job. Exceptionally.”
I take a slow breath, fighting the urge to deck him.
“If you think I’m walking away now, you’re even dumber than you look. I don’t care what her name is. She’smineto protect. I don’t trust you.”
He raises a brow, amused. “This is adorable. You’ve got a little crush on her, don’t you?”
I don’t answer. I don’t have to.
I swear he mutters,get in line, but he’s already smirking.
“Let me tell you something about Lina. She collects hearts like wildflowers and leaves them trampled in her wake.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Oh, I am.” He says it like a confession. “She ripped out my heart, and she’s still holding it, as far as I’m concerned. And I’ll let her keep it, even if she tears it in half again and again.”
He means it. That much is clear. He’s not just obsessed. He’sentrenched.
“So, what happens when she wakes up and doesn’t want you?” I ask. “What if she says no?”
He holds my gaze for a long beat. Then he smiles and walks out. No answer. Just that smile. Possessive. Dangerous. Unhinged.
“We may be in trouble,” I mutter under my breath.
He calls from the living room. “You coming? I had lunchsent up. She’s not going anywhere.”
He laughs at his own joke. Who thinks about food at a time like this?
Jonathan, apparently.
∞∞∞
We hear Aro stirring before she fully wakes.
“Let’s go see our girl,” Jonathan says with that twisted enthusiasm, already heading for the bedroom.
This should be fun...
I push off the couch and follow him but stop in the doorway. He’s already at her side, perched on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through her hair like she’s some fragile thing he treasures. It’s jarring, seeing him almost… tender. Not a word I ever thought I’d associate with him.
Her eyes flutter open, glassy and confused. When she sees him, a sleepy smile tugs at her lips. “Johnny?”
“I’m here, Honey.”
The name hits like a left hook.Honey.That isn’t just recognition. That’s history.
He cups her cheek, and for a split second, they look... soft. Then the moment shatters. Her memory returns, and her hand snaps up, slapping his away. She shoves him hard, sending him stumbling off the bed.
“Ow!” he grumbles, rubbing his side.
“Seriously, Johnny? Drug me and chain me up? This your idea of foreplay now?” she shouts, throwing up her hands, but her wrist is jerked to a stop.
“What iswrongwith you?!” she hisses, fury radiating offher.
