“I’m scared,August.”
“I know.” Sighing, he pried my arms out of their tight knot. “But don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Everything willbe—”
“Don’t!” My heart jolted into my throat and beat there. “Don’t finish thatsentence!”
Hefrowned.
“It never comestrue.”
Dipping his chin into his neck, he gathered my stiff body in his arms and heldme.
Just heldme.
And I heldhim.
Until my heart settled back behind my ribs. Until my pulse quieted. Until my temper appeased and my muscles stopped spasming. Until I was ready to take on the outside worldagain.
45
Before goingover to Liam’s, I called Evelyn because I wanted to seeher.
Ineededto seeher.
She told me she was already at the restaurant, prepping for their popular Sunday brunch, so we drove there. While August parked the car, I went inside and straight into the kitchen. I hugged her before even sayinghi, which wasn’t smart of me. Instantly, her pleasure at my visit wilted intoconcern.
Her all-seeing eyes skipped over all my haggard features. I hadn’t bothered improving my appearance with makeup this morning, so I knew I looked part ghost, part zombie, possibly worse than when I’d gone “rock-climbing” on my own, which had been the story fed to Evelyn when I’d been returned to her after the first Alphatrial.
“Querida, what iswrong?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t sleep well. That’sall.”
She hunted my face some more, seeking the truth I was holdingback.
Did she know about Aidan? Did she know that my uncle was gone? Did she know there would be a dueltonight?
“You do not fool me, Ness Clark. That isnotall.”
From the worry tightening her crimson lips, I guessed Frank hadn’t imparted any of those things. I was glad he’d protected her. I hoped he would shield her from the world for the rest of her life in case I wasn’t there to do itmyself.
The thought made my heart drop to somewhere below myankles.
Seconds rarely engage,I reminded myself, but then I also reminded myself that I would be facingJustin.
Justin delighted in hurtingpeople.
“It is. I promise.” I smiled but then followed the arc of her gaze as it moved to a place above myshoulder.
I glanced over my shoulder. Biting my lip, I turned back toward Evelyn. I hadn’t even considered how it would look arriving with August so early on a Sundaymorning.
On any morning, for thatmatter.
I hesitated to lie and tell her we were on our way to work on my house, but I didn’t want to risk her coming there after hershift.
“Morning, Mrs. Lopez.” He didn’t touch me, but his body heated my tautspine.
Without taking her eyes off mine, she said, “Good morning,August.”
Her sous-chef glanced our way, a giant knife rocking rhythmically against a white onion, dicing the slimy flesh into tiny little squares that flecked the air with stingingfumes.
