Because I’d be lying to her.
The moment I stepped foot off the compound with this wide-eyed omega in tow, everyone would be after us. My dad would put a hit out, I’m sure of it. We’d be dragged back, and I’d get a bullet between the eyes, and no one would be there to try to help Mirabelle.
“I don’t know why you talk so much about punishments, but I’m never gonna lay a hand on you, got that?” My clammy hands flex against my jeans. I have to saysomethingto fill the hopeless silence that fills the small space around us. I need to give her some sort of hope in this hellhole.
“Really?” She asks, glancing up at me, her brows drawing down in confusion. “Even if I break your two rules?”
“Those rules are there so I can try to keep you safe, Sugar. If you break ‘em, then whatever Jett or my dad do to you will be punishment enough.”
Despite the terrible, hellish news I’ve given her, she still finds it in her to offer me another soft quirk of her lips.
“You’re really nice, Rowan.”
I’m not able to hide the wince.
My dad always said my stupid heart was too big for my own good. That it would get me into trouble and that no son of his was gonna bring that kinda trouble around. It’s why he let Jett beat the shit out of me. To make me tougher.
No matter how big of a heart they think I have, I know deep down the shitshow that is my life has turned me hard and bitter.
I’d like to think I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart. But I know better.
“I’m not doing this ‘cause I’m nice,” I grunt, immediately pushing myself to my feet.
I’m doing this ‘cause I like the way she looks at me. Like I’m someone worth smiling at. Someone worth comforting. Someone worthsomething.
“You saved me when you didn’t have to,” she says, her quiet voice making me freeze. “You’re even doing something you don’t want to do because of it.”
I don’t dare turn around to face her. Because then I’d let myself believe what she’s saying and that’s a dangerous game.
“You haven’t been cruel and you haven’t taken advantage of me,” she continues.
The thought of anyone taking advantage of her soft innocence makes me want to tear the sheet metal of this trailer apart with my bare hands.
“If that’s not nice, then I don’t know what is.”
My head falls to my chest as I shake my head.
“You’ve gotta have higher standards than that, Sugar,” I mumble.
“Just take the compliment,” she huffs.
The small noise finally makes me glance over my shoulder at her. She’s perched on the edge of the sofa, her arms crossed over her chest and her tongue poking along the inside of her cheek.
She looks fucking adorable.
She looks at me like that and I’ll agree to anything she says.
“Sure,” I breathe out. “What do you want to eat? It’s not a great selection, but I’ve got a whole bunch of different frozen dinners for you to choose from.” I open the freezer and wince. “Okay, I actually take that back. It’s mostly pasta. Got different kinds of pasta, but there’re only so many ways you can have noodles and sauce?—“
I turn back to glance at her and stiffen, completely forgetting the contents of my freezer when I see the nervous tremble in her hands.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, slamming the freezer door shut. The noise just makes her jump, and she actually grows pale, which is an impressive feat considering how pale she already is. “Fuck, are you allergic to pasta or something? Tell me where I messed up. God, Sugar, don’t look at me like that.”
She looks like a kicked puppy.
I don’t care if she needs space, or whatever. I just have to hope that she’s able to push me away if she’s uncomfortable because I instantly make my way back to her, falling to my knees and taking her hands in mine.
Damn, she’s actually shaking. Her breath comes in short pants, and her gaze darts everywhere around the room but me.
