“I’m fine.”
“And I’m not taking no for an answer.” She didn’t fight me as I headed for the kitchen, the pensive look on her face pulling at something I hadn’t known existed.
Guilt.
Josette had a faraway look in her eyes even as I placed her on the counter. She winced as soon as I turned on the overhead light, hiding her eyes from me almost instantly.
I move closer, gently pushing her legs open so I could move between them. When she continued to look down, which wasn’t like her in the least, I pinched her jaw between my fingers, lifting her head. Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes skimming across her cheeks.
Noticing the single tear slipping past, trickling down her face took my breath away for several reasons.
One was her breathtaking beauty. Another moment passed, a reminder of how protective I felt about her.
And yet another was the roar of guilt for putting her in such a precarious position.
She darted the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip. It was slightly swollen both from my rough kisses and the tiny cut she’d received during the confrontation. The sight of splatters of blood on her face and neck brought another wave of anger.
Thank God, it wasn’t her blood, or the three men who’d still been alive after the attack would have endured hours of torture.
Indiana remained close, relaxing on the floor after his ordeal. While he didn’t appear injured, I already had plans on contacting the vet she’d visited. Only this time the man would make a house call.
My orders.
Her sigh was heavy and she tried to pull her face away, only I wouldn’t allow her. “Relax. Nothing will happen to you inside this house.”
“You don’t know that. It doesn’t seem as if anywhere is safe.” She looked down as she’d done before. “Why was that man trying to kidnap me?”
“To use you against me.” A classic tale of power and control.
Blinking, she gripped the counter. “Maybe you’re right and I was the target. Why?”
Even as she whispered the question, there was a change in the lilt of her voice. Very slight. Just enough for me to catch. As if she knew exactly why there might be a reason she’d be the target.
My chest suddenly felt tight. “That’s likely something only you can answer or at least provide some clues to. But not tonight.” Iyanked a towel from the holder, leaning over and turning on the faucet. When the cloth was wet, I dabbed it against her face.
She managed to pull away, even wrapping her fingers around my wrist. “I’m fine. Really.”
“Yes, you are, but I’m still going to do this.”
She tried to smile, allowing it to fade almost instantly. “You almost died. I can’t believe you lived after… what happened.”
“But I didn’t die and don’t plan on it.” With tender strokes, I caressed her face with the cloth, my rage increasing the entire time. If the fucker had taken her with him, there was a strong chance I wouldn’t have been able to locate or save her.
While she allowed me to finish, I could tell she was deep in thought. Right now wasn’t the time to grill her about anything. She was in too fragile a state. Indiana knew it as well.
Besides, I had business to conclude for the evening.
When the blood had been removed from her skin, I tossed the towel and planted my hands on either side of her.
“I’m not going to break,” she said quietly. “I told you that already.”
I chuckled and rubbed my palm down her arm. Thank God she didn’t flinch. “I’m beginning to believe you. Now, I need to handle some business, but I’ll be back. My brother and a couple of his men will be here with you.”
With her eyes narrowed, she gave me a hard look. “You’re going after them. Aren’t you?”
“What if I am?”
“When will it stop? You’ll hunt a few of them down and kill them. They’ll retaliate. You’ll return the favor. Who are these people and why are they doing this?”
