Page 52 of Protecting Christina

Jake, Christian, and Jager showed up at my apartment less than thirty minutes later. I briefed them on the situation and together we came up with a plan to storm the house.

However, when I suggested we should go in tonight, Jake shook his head. “We should get the police involved.”

“That’s what I said,” Christina murmured from the loveseat behind me.

I tried not to smile, but her sass was tempting. “As I’d said earlier, we will, but you know the police will only slow us down.”

“Maybe,” said Jake. “But they’ve seen what we can do and I think we can get them to trust us to go in.”

“Fine.” I checked the time. “I’ll go see the police chief first thing in the morning. But I’m not delaying this any more than that. I promised Donna I’d not be long and I intend to keep that promise.”

Christina made a sound, almost like a murmur of approval, but it could have just been her shuffling in her seat instead of my wishful thinking that my response pleased her.

“All right. Call us back and let us know how that meeting goes,” said Jager. “In the meantime, I’ll prepare our gear. Looks like we’re going in with the police’s permission or without.”

I clasped Jager’s shoulder. “Thank you.” Then I turned to Christian, who was quieter than usual. “Are you up for this?” I asked him.

He sat straighter in his chair. “Of course I am. I’m there for you, brother.” His words were familiar, but the force behind them was not.

Christian was the toughest one between us, and it killed me to see him down on himself. When this was all over, I would have to pull him aside and see what was up.

One by one, they stood and said their goodbyes. I walked them to the door and then turned to Christina. Her hair was a mess from running her hands through it, and she looked tense. I pressed my lips to the crease between her brows. “I wish I could spend the night making you forget about what’s happening, but tomorrow is going to be a long day and I’m going to need my strength and head in the game.”

She gave a weak smile. “That’s all right. I’m feeling pretty worn out myself. I’ll head out now.”

She stepped out of my arms, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. Rubbing her arms and kissing the space below her ear, I whispered, “Doesn’t mean you have to go home. You can still sleep in my bed.” The thought of sleeping next to Christina and not touching her was torture, but so was letting her go right now.

But she shook her head. “I told you. I don’t stay overnight.”

She bit her lip, then closed her eyes. I was disappointed, for sure. But I didn’t think her ‘rules’ for not staying overnight had anything to do with me, so I didn’t take it personally. I promised myself I’d be patient, and this is what that meant.

“All right,” I said and kissed her slowly on her lips. “But let me drive you home, at least.”

Again, she shook off my request. “There’s no reason for you to come to Brooklyn when I have my own car. Get some rest and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She grabbed her purse that she hung by the door, and before she walked out, she turned to me. “Promise you won’t go into the house without me.”

I didn’t like the idea of Christina being anywhere near that house, especially not when the situation would be unpredictable with potential gunfire. But she would most likely find out something was happening through Nikole. And if I were to build trust between us, I couldn’t lie to her.

“Yes. I promise.”

“Thank you.” She placed her hands on my chest, her warm palms squeezed my muscles, and I grinned. “If you get to cop a feel, so do I.”

She grabbed my hand as soon as I raised it and smiled. “No, you don’t.” But smoothed her rejection with lips over mine. She ran her tongue over the seam and I opened wider to breathe in more of her. Pulling her closer to me, I slid my tongue inside her mouth and feasted on her peppermint taste.

I groaned when she pressed her body against mine, and the friction sent a shiver down my back. “God, I can’t let you go,” I whispered.

She pulled away. Her eyes were bright and less tired, but they stared at me, perhaps a little confused.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing. I… I’m just tired. I should go. Good night, Will.”

“Goodnight, Christina.”

I wanted to say something more. Not I love you. Not yet. But something. There should be a string of words one can say to express how much someone is affecting your life without scaring them off.

I want you.

I care for you.

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