Page 21

The line goes dead, and the first thought to enter my mind is this is why I have to kill whatever’s between Annie and me. At any time, Laufer can pull me out of this life.

Letting out another sigh, I turn around and head back to the side entrance while shoving the device into my pocket.

I key in the code, and stepping into the stairwell, I see Annie standing near my front door. Her head swivels in my direction, and then her eyes widen.

“Hi,” she practically squeaks as I take the stairs up to the second floor, twin flames forming on her cheeks. Her gaze lowers to my right hand, then her tongue darts out to wet her lips before she says, “I wanted to check your hand.”

I lift it and flex my fingers. On closer inspection, I notice the skin has split over two of my knuckles. I’ve dealt with injuries so many times, pain isn’t something I feel easily.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her I’m fine, and even though I’ve made it clear to myself to shut this down, I find myself lingering in front of Annie.

Usually, I have ironclad control, but for the second time tonight, I find myself doing something entirely out of my nature. “I’d appreciate it.”

You’re playing with fire, asshole.

She moves closer, and when she gently takes hold of my hand, another spark zaps between us.

Fuck, I love feeling her hands on me.

“Will you come into my apartment so I can clean the blood off?” Her eyebrows pull together, making her look downright adorable.

I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to squash her against my chest, and my jaw clenches involuntarily.

The fuck? Did I just get cuteness aggression?

“Owen,” she whispers.

I nod in response to her question, but then a thought pops into my mind, and I ask, “Are you okay being around me?”

Surprise flutters over her face. “Why would you ask me that? Did I give you the impression I’m not okay?”

“No. I’m just thinking the fight might have made you uncomfortable.”

Annie stares at me for a moment, then she admits, “What you did was scary but also pretty badass.” She shrugs. “Those men were aggressive toward me, and they could’ve hurt someone.”

My eyes drift over every inch of her face as I drink in her beauty.

For decades, I’ve done everything in my power to be the monster the Bratva and their enemies fear. But with Annie, I don’t want that, and it has me doing another thing that’s out of character for me, as I promise, “I won’t let anyone hurt you on my watch.”

She inhales a deep breath, her gaze lifting to mine while a soft expression settles on her face. “Thank you.” Turning around, she keeps hold of my hand and pulls me back into her apartment. “Sit on the couch while I grab my first aid kit.”

I glance at the books on her shelf again as I take a seat. “Do you like reading?”

The question slips out before I can stop it, and it makes me feel a little rattled that I don’t have a firm grip on myself around Annie.

“Yes, and you?”

I hear her come into the living room and turn my head to look at her. “No.”

I’ve never had time to do something as mundane as reading a book.

Every spare moment was used to check and clean my weapons and to work out so my body was always in peak condition.

The past month, there were no weapons to take care of, so I’ve been overdoing it with the exercises.

Annie sets a black and red emergency bag down on the coffee table, then tips her head toward the hallway. “Do you mind washing your hands?”

Damn, I keep forgetting about it.