Page 80 of Captured

I found myself touching his arm, thankful he didn’t flinch. But he did finally glance into my eyes. My God. His were misted. “What happened?”

“She was a nurse, although she took a leave of absence when our son was born.”

Another shock. Another moment of horror. A slight smile crossed his face from whatever memory was surfing his mind but almost as soon as the hint of joy was there, it was gone, replaced by rage. More evidenced by the way one hand fisted, his jaw clenching.

I pressed my hand on his chest, shocked how saddened I was about what he’d endured. “I’m here.”

He laughed but the sound was entirely too bitter. A snarl followed. “If I had any decency, I would have given you a new identity and flown you somewhere else.”

“What good would that have done?”

“That would have protected you from several dangerous men, including your father and the man you once considered your uncle. Blood is no longer thicker than water, my little sparrow. And men will stop at nothing to gain power.”

“I know that. The scar?”

He touched the side of his face, taking and holding his breath for a full ten seconds before raggedly exhaling it. “It was Mary’s birthday. I was making dinner, her favorite meal, or at least that’s what she told me often. I’d planned on taking off work early but a colleague of mine begged me to handle a surgery he didn’t feel confident doing. I felt I had no other choice. I called her but she didn’t answer. Anyway, the surgery was successful, but I was over four hours getting home. Four fucking hours.”

“What happened?”

“A horrific fire that I assume I was supposed to die in as well. I came home to flames shooting from the roof. I did everything I could to save them. I rushed into the flames when the firefighters tried to stop me. It was just too late.”

The horror of what I’d heard brought a racking sob to my throat. “I’m so sorry, Styx.” My automatic response was to throw my arms around him in a tight bear hug. He didn’t respond at first, his body remaining stiff. But when he did, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me onto my toes, I heard a sound I’d never forget. “Who did it? Did you ever find out?”

“I tried but whoever it was vanished. It’s eaten me up inside for far too long.”

“What if you found the monster who did it?”

He left out a horrible roar, that of an injured animal. Seconds later, he cupped both sides of my face. “I can’t lose you. I know you won’t love me, but you are the true light of my life. You’re the only woman capable of bringing me out of this darkness.”

He crushed his mouth over mine, the kiss a wild moment of explosive passion, the controlling man sweeping his tongue inside. But with all things involving the man, the rush of sweet adrenaline and excitement was cut short. He pulled away, still holding the side of my face. “So you see, my beautiful angel. Life is full of danger.”

“Who did it? Who killed your family?”

His grin was maniacal. “Let’s just say one of my father’s enemies that he destroyed. Just like what could be happening because your father had Liam’s wife and child killed as well. A strange, twisted disease with our kind.”

While so much about the man surprised me, nothing horrified me any longer. “Then who killed my mother, my father?”

His grin was my answer but I doubted he would admit it. Or maybe he didn’t have the evidence.

“I know he did. I felt it all these years. I’ve hated him for it.”

“And you see what hate can do to people like us, those taught early on that violence is an exacting way of life.”

“I don’t want that, Styx. I want light and joy just like I described.”

The craziness continued with all the anger swept away from him with my words, the fog from before covering his eyes once again. “That’s what you deserve, my angel. That’s what I want to give you. There are some people that need to face my wrath.”

“But you’re not a killer, not really. You told me you enjoyed healing people.”

“I did.”

“Then do it again. Besides, burning down the entire world won’t bring your wife and son back.” God, how I wanted to hold him close. The pain reflected in his eyes was more horrific than before.

And I was gutted because of it.

“You’re right, Emily. It won’t. And it ceased making me feel any better. So, I’ll think about your advice. I really will.” He had another one of his faraway looks in his eyes, which terrified me almost as much as his smile. But this time, the fear wasn’t about me at all, but about what he would do to anyone he considered an enemy. Maybe he was too far gone to find salvation. “For now, it’s about protecting you and giving you the live you deserve.”

And he meant it. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. The reality of what I’d heard, the horrors of what we’d faced something that had molded us. Only my music had settled me. His wife had done the same for him.

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