Page 37 of Hear Me Roar

The beach wasas picturesque as the movies made it out to be. Dark pebbles laid in place of where you’d usually see sand, casting a dark ambiance over the ocean too. Distant mountains were the backdrop of this northern paradise, reminding you that Canada wasn’t so far away. There was also a nice breeze rolling by, one that didn’t quite reach the surprisingly dry city. With my hand entwined in Knox’s, we walked close to the shoreline in comfortable silence, breathing in theviews.

“How you feelin’ about tomorrow night.” he askedsuddenly.

I shrugged, and tucked a wisp of hair behind my ear. “Honestly, I don’tknow.”

“What do you mean, you don’tknow?”

“I’m worried…” Iadmitted.

“About?”

“About youguys.”

“Who?” He soundedconfused.

“You, Manny, andMaya.”

Jerking us to a stop, his eyes bore into mine under cinched brows. “Why on earth would you be worried about us? We’re not the onesfighting.”

“Yeah, but you’re the ones who don’t getalong.”

“Not true at all,kitten.”

“Yes, it is, actually.” I crossed my arms. “Maya barely looks at Manny, he’s more than likely on the verge of saying to hell with her, and you’ve said a total of twenty words to her in the two weeks she’s been withus.”

Silence.

I could see the way his jaw ground together, his lips thinning into a grim line. Nevertheless, I held his stare, as determined as ever to bring the truth to light. The answer may not be what I wanted to hear, but I had to know. This constant guessing game of what had him so seemingly distant was eating me to my core, and I couldn’t take itanymore.

“With reason…” he gritted out after abeat.

“Then tell me the reason, because I’m notunderstanding.”

“I’m justconcerned.”

“About?” I hedged, cocking my head to oneside.

“About how Maya’s husband is clearly violent. Most of these wife beaters have a sick sense of possessiveness, and her leaving could spark something in him that puts us all indanger.”

What inthe…

Not at all what I was expecting him to say. I’d been so worried Brie played a part in all this, I hadn’t even considered he was fretting overDimitri.

“Why didn’t you tell me thisbefore?”

“Because,” he sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. “I didn’t want to worry you, which obviously I failed at miserably because my actions have led you to worryanyway.”

“You should have told me,” I said, my voicehushed.

“I know, I’msorry.”

“I’m not mad, babe. I get why you did it, and I’m thankful you always have my best interests in mind. However, we’re a team. If you’re seeing red flags, you need to tell me these things. I’m not a mind reader, and I can’t fight beside you if I don’t know what we’re upagainst.”

He clenched the fabric of my shirt and reeled me in, locking his arms around my neck. “We shouldn’t have tofight…”

“You’re right, we shouldn’t, but honestly, I don’t think there’s anythingtofight. Dimitri might be a sick asshole, but I really don’t think he’s going to come after her. He doesn’t even know where sheis.”

“For now. Based on who he is, I’d say he has the resources to pin her down inhours.”

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