Page 16 of Second Chance Serenity

“Build of the guy?”

“Tall. She was wearing heels, but he seemed to be quite a bit taller than she was. He was masked, though, so I didn’t see much.” But then I remember the tattoo. “He had a tattoo on his right arm. I didn’t see much of it, but it went down into his glove, and climbed up beneath the sleeve of his shirt.”

“That’s something.” The sheriff writes it down on his notepad. “Anything else?”

“He leaned in like he was whispering something to her, but I didn’t hear what it was and I couldn’t ask.”

The sheriff’s expression says it all.

“What did he say?” I demand, pushing to my feet.

“I’m only telling you this because I’m hoping you can help me find him.” He sighs.

“What did he say?”

His expression darkens, turning angry. “He said, ‘I’m coming back for you.’”

CHAPTER 6

Reyna

I’ve just finished getting dressed when someone knocks on the door.

“I’ll grab that, honey,” my mom says, smiling tightly as she heads over to open the door. I hear her say something, but the curtain is still closed, blocking my view of who it is. And since their voices are muted, I can’t quite hear what anyone is saying.

“Who is it?” I ask.

A few seconds pass by before she opens the curtain. Michael stands beside her, his expression twisted in a mixture of fear and relief. My heart jumps at the sight of him, my stomach swimming with nerves.

His hair is dry now, though it’s mussed like he’s been running his hands through it. The obsidian strands have always been a bit wavy, but they’re even wavier after the rain. His strong jaw is set, his brows furrowed over dark almond-shaped eyes.

Why do I still feel this? After everything? All the years we were apart? How is he still the only man I want? Even more so now because out of everyone, he’s the only person on this planet who makes me feel safe. My eyes fill, so I rapidly blink the tears away.

His gaze darts around the room, and I know he’s just as uncomfortable as I am.

“I haven’t had the chance to thank you,” my mother starts.

I glare at her like she’s a traitor even though I also owe the former Army Ranger a ton of gratitude.

“You don’t need to thank me, Mrs. Acker,” he tells her.

She reaches up and cups his face, a feat given he towers over her. “I do need to thank you. You saved my baby tonight. Without you, there’s no telling what would have happened.”

“I will always protect Reyna,” he says.

“Thank you.” She smiles and releases him, then turns to me. “I’m going to check in with your father. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” She shuts the door softly behind her, and the room seems to close in on Michael and me.

“If you want me to go, I can.”

He saved me. So even though I know I should send him away, I don’t. “Thank you for tonight,” I tell him as I stand. I ache, but I do my best not to show it on my face. The last thing I need is him seeing me as even more of a damsel.

“Why does everyone keep thanking me?” he asks angrily.

“Because you saved my life.”

“I did what anyone would have done.”

I doubt he meant the words the way they came out, but all I heard was that I am not special to him. Never have been, never will be.

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