Page 32 of Twin Deception

He didn’t speak. He didn’t ask a single thing. Communication wasn’t happening, but I knew sooner or later, my mind would be exploding with too many questions.

For now, just walking away from the gruesome scene of threats and blood was enough. It wasmorethan enough, and it was all I could tell myself to do. It was all I could manage physically.

Clinging to him, feeling his saturated clothes rubbing against mine as he kept his arm around me, I relied on his presence to prevent me from being alone.

Addicted and needy for more of his presence and comfort, I didn’t think. I didn’t rationalize where we were going, whatwe were doing, or what could happen next. Traumatized and stunned by how swiftly danger had encroached on me, I ignored everything but the secure hold of his strong arm around my back.

Blind and numb to the details of this rainy street, I tuned out everything but the feel of him against me. My stalker who’d become my savior. My hero. Nothing else mattered but being with him and knowing he’d lead me away.

We entered the warmth of a hotel lobby. The contrast of being out of the rain was a sharp one to adjust to, and without the precipitation hitting me and keeping me wet, my trembles worsened.

“Ah, Señor Cruz.” A hotel staff member greeted us as we headed toward the elevators. When he didn’t get a reply from us, he raised his brows. “Señor?”

The man shook his head as the employee took in our appearance, waving him off as we got into the elevator.

“Can I assist?—”

My stalker shook his head again as he pushed a button for the elevator. “No, thank you. Not now.”

The doors closed, and the elevator whisked us up many floors. Zoned out and only letting my sense of touch keep me tethered to reality, I held on to the front of his soaked shirt. Numb, butnotalone, I focused on the pressure of his warm hand on my back, keeping me close.

We landed on another floor, and I didn’t think, didn’t react. I only followed him out of the elevator and a few minutes later, into a hotel room.

He guided me inside, and without a word, he turned back and locked the door.

“Isabel.”

I would never tire of hearing his smoky, gruff voice. So deep and rich. This time, though, he said it sternly.

“Isabel, look at me.” He came around to stand in front of me, framing my face as he stared at me.

Blinking again, I focused on him, but nothing could enter my mind. I’d put up a wall. I was hiding behind a mask, locked out to let nothing in.

“Isabel—”

“Don’t.” I choked on the rest of what I wanted to say, hit with a flashback of what the man threatened to do to me. “Don’t leave me.”

His brow furrowed as he watched me.

“I don’t…” I shook harder. I didn’t want to think. I didn’t want to remember. And I didn’t know how to move past this. “I’ve never… I’ve never seen a dead person before.”

He exhaled a long breath as he rubbed his thumbs over my cheek.

“I’ve never seen someone killed before.”

I’ve never known someone who is a killer.Tremors hit me again as I relived the vision of that nasty creep bleeding, then the shots into his head that?—

I closed my eyes tight, wishing against all wishes that I hadn’t watched. That I hadn’t looked.

He lowered his hands until he took my left one, leading me to follow him further into the room. Once more, I followed numbly and without protest. All the way to the bathroom, where he cranked on the handles for hot water to spray out of the shower. Steam quickly built up and filled the room.

“I—”

He shushed me, pulling me into the shower. Fully clothed. Shoes on, we stepped in together. Under the warm spray, he hugged me close and rubbed those strong hands up and down my back. But still, I shook.

“I’ve never seen a man killed like that. Or anyone.”

He didn’t reply. He only embraced me and tried to soothe me as I shook from the trauma and shock.

---