Page 29 of Serpent & Saviors

“Hey, it’s okay. Bad memory?” I inquired.

When she looked back, I damn near choked. The level of vulnerability shining in her eyes took my breath away. Yeah, I’d bet my right arm whatever she was thinking about wasn’t good.

“Actually, it is, but not necessarily my memory. A friend of mine, from a long time ago. I miss her,” she said.

Her voice broke, the sound fragile, shattering the quiet between us. The emotion was sharp, unexpected, and impossible to ignore.

“I miss writing to her and the others. I used to keep journals for them, you know, and I’d write to them throughout the year. It was my way of…of keeping a part of them with me.”

Once more her voice broke, but this time she rolled over into my arms. I lay there holding her as she cried. The ache pouring from her was too much. Somewhere in the depths of my unfolding emotions, I connected with her on another level.

I wanted to take away every bad thing that had happened to her. I wanted to find these friends of hers and reunite them so I could see the reaction on her beautiful face. Wanting, no, needing to do more, the realization struck me solidly in the chest.

Fuck. I wanted more from this woman than what was reasonable.

Rubbing her back, I cooed, “It’s okay, let it all out. I’ve got you, I promise.”

She nestled closer, and I inhaled the clean, fresh scent of her shampoo. I held her until her tears stopped, knowing that aside from my few words, nothing could take her pain away completely.

Her sobs eventually slowed, and the occasional sniffle filled the silence between us. The moment shifted as she pulled away and then shimmied her body from under the piano. Reluctantly, I joined her.

“I’m a complete mess. The way I look right now would have my grandmother absolutely horrified, especially in front of yours. They were friends, you know.”

“I didn’t before, but I do now. However, I doubt she would feel that way. Maybe she is rejoicing with your mother instead.”

“You think?” she asked hopefully.

Her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress, knuckles white with tension she wouldn’t voice. Something in her gaze, which was currently locked onto the piano, spoke volumes. Fear and longing woven so tightly together, it was impossible to separate them. I followed her stare, then turned to her, nodding toward it.

“Do you want to play something?”

Before I finished the question, she took a step back, her hands clenching into tight fists at her sides. Fear won out. A sharp shake of her head, frantic and immediate, sent loose strands of hair slipping from behind her ear.

Her breath hitched, and her throat moved in a hard swallow. When she blinked, I caught the sheen in her eyes before she dropped her gaze to the floor.

“It’s okay, it’s not going anywhere.”

I pulled her back into my arms, relieved when she didn’t resist—thankful she allowed me the privilege. Because I certainly didn’t fucking deserve it. Not after last night. The tension eased, and one of her hands clutched the fabric of my shirt. I pressed a hand against the small of her back, anchoring her to me.

“Can I tell you something without you getting upset?” she asked.

The way her voice trembled and her brow furrowed had me concerned. I cradled her face, getting lost in her hazel eyes.

“Of course you can. I don’t think I could ever be upset with you. And just so we’re clear, I wasn’t upset with you last night. That was all saved for myself.”

She heaved a sigh in my arms. The rise and fall of her chest pressing against me was everything. She simply fit. I tightened my hold, sensing that what she had to say was significant. But whatever it was, I would take it.

“Angel?” I prompted.

“The day Marcus choked Nigel, Cameron was livid. He asked me to do something. It’s rather silly, honestly, because it’s not feasible: what he wants.”

I forced my body to relax. The last thing I wanted was for her to pull away. Lowering my head, I pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head, letting my lips rest there for a second longer than necessary. It was my way of making a promise. I wasn’t going anywhere.

“And what did he ask of you?”

“He wants me to make you fall in love with me. And then make a big show of choosing to go with him instead. I have no idea what will happen when he doesn’t get the reaction he’s looking for. It’s completely childish.”

Breathe, I yelled at myself. Every single insecure feeling I had rose to the surface, and I had to work hard at keeping calm. With her head nestled against my chest and her soft hair tickling my face, that gut-punching sensation once more flooded my senses.