But his jaw only clenches. “I tried, Kate. You have no idea how hard I tried.”
I meet his eyes. “No, I mean I thought of you while I was trapped in there. I didn’t have anything to protect me. But you reminded me to fight.” A tiny twitch in my lip flutters, and I encourage it into a weak smile. “Guess those boxing lessons came in handy.”
Brandon’s pain becomes slightly more amused. “You’ve always had a killer right hook, Kate. I didn’t have to do much. And based on the gnarly bruise I saw on—” His fists curl into rocks.
I take them both in my hands, massaging them.
“Hey, now. Look at me,” I instruct, and he obeys. “Keep your eyes on me.”
The green hue of his eyes looks like trampled summer grass. A quiver in his lip sends my fingers to his cheek.
He covers my hand with his, pinning my touch against his face. Another shudder rocks the massive man, and moisture soon seeps across my fingertips.
“Brandon—”
He yanks me against his body—careful not to touch my back—as wave after wave of emotion crashes over him.
“I was so scared, Kate,” he cries against my hair.
I rub his back in small circles until his quaking subsides. Running my hands up the lapels of his tuxedo, I knot my hold around his neck, pulling his face down to meet my lips.
Our kiss is lined with heavy emotion, but it feels like clouds breaking after a storm. I taste his sorrow, and he tastes my relief. Our lips move like a silent prayer for tomorrow.
He breaks the kiss, breathing a staccato rhythm that warms my mouth.
“Let’s get you home, Kate.”
Home sounds so appealing, so safe now that Hopefully Yours is no longer a threat. Wistful longing escapes on my exhale.
“Okay.”
Voices echo off the arched ceilings as we exit the stairwell. Every muscle in Brandon’s face hardens as his eyes land on a familiar crowd. The entourage that preceded us is still here, surrounding a sullen Tanner who remains detained on one of the benches. Two uniformed officers have arrived, dispatch vehicles flashing blue and red from the street.
Daniel stands astute by one of the officers jotting down notes for his report. Val towers beside where Tanner sits, keeping uncomfortably close. Rick speaks quietly with Amantha next to the lofty entrance doors.
Tanner dares to flick up his eyes as we approach. Brandon responds by pulling me behind his body and out of sight.
But that won’t do.
Because I have a thing or two to say.
I roll my sore shoulders back and sweep around Brandon. He tenses but doesn’t intervene. Val, on the other hand, blocks my path with a hard look. I jerk my head, and understanding softens his expression.
Tanner’s eyes meet mine, lighting up like I might save him.
I bite back a scoff.
“Kate,” he says, pleading, “this was all a misunderstanding. A mistake.”
“Damn right it was,” I growl.
“Please, you’ve gotta talk to them. Make them listen.”
“No,” I snap. “Youlisten, and listen well. Because these will be the last words youeverhear from me.”
Rage shakes my voice, my body.
“You are sick. You are twisted. You are nowhere even near the caliber of a man who deserves me. In fact, I deservereallove, not manipulation.” Emotion gathers behind my glare. I scan the lobby, taking in face after face of people who mean so much to me. And there are many who are not even here. Fierce appreciation for my beautiful life sinks into the marrow of my bones.
