“You have a question for me.”
“Why. . .”
I wait for her to ask the question she’s braved a scene to ask.Why did you kill them?
But instead, she says, “Why did you choose me?” and steals my breath.
I smooth a hand down the dark waterfall of her hair and squeeze a few silky strands in my fist. Her skin bears my marks, but it’s not enough. I want to brand her so everyone—including her—knows she’s mine.
“I saw you.” I have to be careful how much I let her know. If I spill the entire truth all at once, as soon as she’s able, she’ll run from me. “And I wanted you. But the more I watched you, the more I knew you needed me. Not just a top. As a protector. Someone to take away your choices. Someone who could breach your walls and take care of you.”
“It was you. You broke into my home.”
“I had to see you. Know you were safe.” I’ve treasured those stolen moments standing over her bed. They were all I had until I could have this. My little bird perched on my lap.
“Did you watch me sleep?”
“Yes. I will always watch over you.”
Her eyes fall closed. Her expression is pained.
“What do you want, Inara? Tell me, and I’ll do everything in my power to give it to you.”
When her answer comes, it’s whispered on the barest breath. “I want to be warm and safe again. I want to be okay.”
“I want to make you okay. Will you let me?”
She shudders but nods. And once again, I am undone.
* * *
Inara
In my dream,I’m being carried. I’m small and scrawny, all limbs. My father jokes he can still lift me with one hand.
Then I come awake and remember my father is gone. But I’m still being held by someone strong. Someone who can keep the world, the monsters, and the nightmares at bay.
Cool air drifts over my face.
My body is hot and sore, but it feels so good. I snuggle deeper into arms that I instinctively know belong to a man, letting my forehead fall against his neck. His muscles flex.
“Almost there, little bird.”
Oh. It’s him. The monster and the hunter rolled into one.
He lowers me to a soft surface. My head sinks into a pillow.
He’s looming over me, the shadow from my visions and from my dreams.
“What are you thinking?” His thumb brushes my lip.
“I hate you. I was safe with you. And you took it away.”
“You are safe with me. You will always be safe.” His voice reverberates through my bones. I want to believe him. That what he’s saying is a law of the universe and something I can trust. Reliable as gravity.
No. I have to resist this. I gather every bit of strength. “You’re a killer.”
“I kill to protect.” His hand cups my cheek.
