Page 35 of Fighting Salvation

“We take her with us.”

“Okay. We should move out. I don’t like this place. It’s giving me the heeby jeebies.”

“Let’s roll out.” Bás looked at Hurricane. “You okay to take the kid?”

He nodded and held open his arms. “You want to go see if we can find some chocolate?”

She cocked her head back and forth and it took Val a second to realise the child had no concept of what he was talking about.

“She’s never had chocolate. That breaks my heart.”

“I have a feeling that’s the least of what she’s missed out on.”

The child nodded and went into Hurricane’s big arms, looking so tiny and afraid. If what Bás said was true, then this child had more than missed out and Hansen was a bigger pig than she gave him credit for. She almost wished she could have her time with him again so she could rip him a new one.

Chapter 10

Bás watched as Hurricane carried the child up to the second floor where she’d spend the night after being checked over by Duchess. His second had offered to stay with her but it seemed at this stage she wouldn’t let Hurricane out of her sight. They said kids had good instincts, and trusting Hurricane made hers spot on.

“You doing okay?”

Arms came around his waist as Val laid her head on his chest. It should feel strange, this sudden shift in their relationship and how fast they’d moved from colleagues to what, he wasn’t sure. Not lovers yet, although he could hardly stop thinking about getting his hands on her gorgeous body. He was willing to let her guide him on that though and not rush her. He knew women were different to men in that they needed their brains on board for intimacy, not just their genitals.

He lifted his arm and wrapped it around her body, hugging her close. “Yeah, I’m doing okay. Trying to process everything and work out where it fits. You?”

She looked up at him and he felt his chest tighten, his belly almost hollowing out with the emotion she evoked in him. How had he gone so long resisting this thing between them and for the love of God, why?

“Yeah, same as you. Trying to piece it together. Any news on when Watchdog will be here?”

“He should be here sometime tomorrow. Lopez and Will are covering him while he’s in the air and out of the loop.”

“I can’t believe that poor kid was just left. Do you think it was done on purpose, or if she ran away?”

He turned, looping both his arms around the base of her spine, and looking down at her. She felt so right against him as if she belonged and it terrified him as much as it thrilled him. If Hansen had any idea how much she meant to him, he wouldn’t hesitate to use her against him.

“I honestly don’t know. But what I do know is you need some sleep.”

He hadn’t slept for two days and she wasn’t far behind. He could see the mauve circles under her eyes and guilt assailed him. He’d pushed her too hard. She rested her head on his chest and he felt a wave of protectiveness for this strong, beautiful woman.

“Come on, let’s get some rest.” He tugged her toward the stairs and pushed her in front of him as they went up. As they passed the room where their new guest was sleeping, they saw Duchess sitting in the chair with Hurricane sleeping on the floor. He’d barely left the kid’s side since she’d decided he was her new protector.

He stuck a thumb up at Duchess, not wanting to wake the kid and she nodded with a smile before her gaze moved over the small lump in the bed.

“Poor kid.”

He wrapped an arm around Val’s waist as he moved them onwards. He’d taken the room at the front so he could watch the driveway, a habit he couldn’t shake, nor did he want to.

At her door, which was next to his, he stopped and dropped his head slightly. She was exhausted but as she looked up at him with hooded, dark eyes, he was done for. With a growl, he lowered his head and took her mouth in a deep, hungry kiss. He palmed her waist, his hand skimming under her breasts as he backed her against the door, her back hitting it with a gentle thud. Her mouth opened on a moan as her arms came around his neck and she clung to him, her breasts pressed tight against his chest, her nipples pebbled and hard.

“Niall, I need you.”

The huskily spoken words were like music to his ears but he was painfully aware of how tired she must be and didn’t want to rush things.

Pulling his head away he looked down into pools of melted chocolate, her lips swollen pink from his kiss. “You need sleep.”

“Then sleep beside me.” Her head dropped and her cheeks pinked as she tucked her hair behind her ear in a nervous tell he recognised well.

Lifting her chin with his finger. “Look at me, Valentina.” She focused on him and he saw the hesitation in her gaze. “Talk to me.”