I’d fucked plenty of women before her, but none had responded to my touch as she had. The awe mixed with vulnerability in her eyes, her touch, her moans stole not just my heart but filled every single vein with a need like no other. Yet it was her smile, her laugh, her tears that tethered her to me in such a way that I’d rather succumb to my last breath than watch her in a moment of pain.
As if she heard me, she inhaled deeply but didn’t wake. “I’m right here, waiting for you.” I kissed her brow again, straightened and moved to lie on the couch against the wall. Staring up at the plain ceiling, I let my mind drift, allowing images of Mikaela to usurp my memories.
I sat up to the sound of approaching footsteps. Mia and another team member greeted me before stationing themselves outside the door. I knew Wilkes wasn’t taking any more chances.
Chapter 50 – Xavier
I’d barely driftedoff to sleep when my phone buzzed. Slipping it out of my trouser pocket, I read the text from Wilkes.
Warehouse.
No further words were needed for me to know he’d either managed to trap the man who’d visited Mikaela earlier on or he’d found someone I’d be willing to meet. Making sure Mia was aware of the importance of calling me as soon as Mikaela woke, I left.
When I parked my car outside the building an hour later, I took a deep breath and climbed the three short stairs that led to the metal door.
Ramone opened it a second later. “Sir.”
“How’s the shoulder?”
“Ready for action, sir.” I knew his bravery stemmed from what he believed to be his fuck up at the restaurant and offered him placating smile that immediately eased the tension off his face. He led me to the four by four room Wilkes used at times. I looked through the two way mirror at the man seated on the single chair. Dressed in dark clothes he’d changed for the nurse’s uniform, he wasn’t bound like Turner. Curious, I opened the door and entered the room.
“Sir,” Wilkes greeted.
“No binds?”
“No need. He said he’ll talk, but only to the girl.”
My interest piqued.
Wilkes then gestured to the man now studying me through intense brown eyes. “This is Luke.”
Luke? Why did that name sound familiar. I couldn’t place it. Skipping the pleasantries, I neared him. “Want to tell me how you know Mikaela?” He frowned as if not recognizing the name. “Cinder?”
He didn’t answer.
“Do you know who I am?”
