When she didn’t answer, he looked back at the agent who still wore a thundercloud expression, then at his twin.
“She thought someone was targeting her and she took a chance helping Ed find me.”
“I couldn’t let you die, El. That would have destroyed Eden.” Her voice was soft, apologetic.
Ian turned to face her. “You keep putting yourself in danger, Lila. That ends now.”
The finality in his voice made the entire room go quiet.
“Or what? I’ve been in danger since the moment I watched my entire family get murdered in front of me.” She stood, her face flushing in anger, but beneath it he saw the pain. It was in her gaze, and it dripped from every word she spoke. “I protect people I care about. I need a break.”
Without another word, she turned and headed out of the kitchen. There was a long uncomfortable silence filling the room.
“That is exactly what I thought,” Miko said.
He looked at the former FBI agent. “What?”
“Her need to protect people was solidified at the age of twelve. She puts herself in danger because she feels guilty for being late. For being the one survivor.”
Ian knew that. Anyone who knew her story would understand why she behaved the way she did.
“I’ll check on her,” El said.
“Bugger off,” Ian said, which drew a laugh from the operative. “I got this.”
And he did. He headed back to the bedroom, wondering if she would lock the door. He let out a sigh of relief when he twisted the knob and the door easily opened. She was standing at the window looking out. He wanted to tell her to step away, but he knew she was safe. It was one of the reasons they’d picked this house. Still…his need to protect her overrode most of his logic.
He walked toward her, his steps sure. She didn’t acknowledge his presence, but he knew she knew he was in the room.
“Do you want to tell me what that outburst was about?”
She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I led them to you, Ian. All my stupid interfering led the bastard to you. It’s all my fault.”
“Actually, it’s the fault of the person after you.”
She opened her eyes and looked at him. Unshed tears shimmered. His father had always said that when a strong woman cries, it’s painful to watch. It went beyond that. She was shattering his fucking heart.
“But he would have never gone after you if I hadn’t been digging.”
“We don’t know that. And if it is one of these three people or groups, there was always a chance they would come after me.”
She drew in a long breath as one tear escaped.
“Lila, I need you to quit crying.”
She blinked and another tear rolled down her cheek. That simple little action seemed to break his resolve.
“Right now.”
“I…I…”
Then she burst into tears. Horror washed over him. Ian had faced some of the worst scum. He’d hunted them down, set them up, and killed them without a second thought. It was his job, his duty. It was why he had been labeled with the Ice nickname.
But nothing had prepared him for this. It took all of his control to stay rooted where he was and not flee those tears. She needed him.
So, instead of running away and hiding, Ian grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, love.”
He kissed her temple.
