I’m not a fucking predator.
If this goes any further, she chooses it.
Focus, Ryker.Do your job.
I need to get her somewhere she can sleep comfortably. God knows how long since she rested without fear.
After what she told me, no wonder she’s like a live wire, waiting to arc.
And the last thing she needs is the hands of a killer on her because I’m obsessed—fucking obsessed—with every inch of her from those doe eyes to the lips I want to devour, to the delicate frame that carries her so solidly under immense pressure.
She’s incredible.
I’m totally fucked.
When I glance at the safe house I’m surprised to see the front door closed. It’s only a matter of another minute or two before the team is fully involved.
Wanting answers. Deciding how to mobilize.
Do your job,I remind myself with a head shake.
But that’s the problem, she’s not the job. This is completely personal.
And Jade trusting a stranger to take her somewhere is a sign I must be the lesser of the evils in her life.
Before I let myself think any more, I launch myself out of her beat-up car, and stride around to the passenger side.
Deep breath.Stay professional.
As quietly as possible, I open the door. She’s breathing deeply, cheek resting against the seat, and I consider standing guard by the car until she wakes.
Twelve hours.
Twenty-four if needed.
I don’t care.
Butfuck.I want her safe behind those armored walls, smart-locks, and infrared cameras. Tucked in warm in one of the bedrooms where nothing can hurt her.
That’s where I’ll stand guard.
A dark thought makes my hand fist on the roof of the car.
Who’s protecting her from me?
Because railroading her into coming here wasn’t me stepping on every fucking boundary.Right?
Shutting that fucking thought down, I scoop her up into my arms, nestling her into my shoulder, getting pissed off all over again because she hasn’t been eating well for who knows how long.
The woman’s been living in a state of terror. Dangerous knowledge making her a target.
“Are we here?” she whispers into my neck and my spine nearly snaps in half.
“Yeah, I’ll have you tucked in a comfortable bed in no time flat.”
Fuck, now I’m hoarse again.
“Just go back to sleep,” I tell her, trying to desperately ignore the urge to rest my jaw against her hair.
