Page 46 of Absolution

“You look a little shell-shocked, sir.” She wiggled free of the fingers at her nape and skimmed her fingertips over his stubbled chin. “Are you all right?”

“All right?” He couldn’t believe she even had to ask, but kissing the edge of her digits, he knew he was grinning. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, little girl.”

“I’ll take that.” Her hand fell to his shoulder. “You’re more than I ever dreamed about, and now I’m able to keep in touch with Mum and Julia again, I feel very at home with you, sir.”

She’d told him she loved him!

Everything he’d never known he wanted was unfolding before him in the most spectacular way. Ella was every inch his match, a woman who could ignite as easily as she could console.

He’d known serenity in the cabin, but even he had to admit the relentless hours of solitude could be wearing. Ella had given him a reason to return to the homes he owned in the city, and she’d offered new ways to enjoy them.

“You deserve peace, little girl.” He breathed her in as he held her tighter. “I’m going to work damn hard to ensure you always have it.”

Ella would have her tranquility—he’d make sure of it—but deep down, he sensed unease ballooning on the horizon. A showdown was coming—a confrontation with the ghosts of his past.

He would have to face his old friend, Bennett, one more time, just as he’d no doubt have to deal with the odious Collinsand the real menace behind them both, Kenner, but he’d need to make sure Ella was firmly out of harm’s way before those leeches returned to drain him.

She couldn’t be witness to whatever came next.

Chapter Eighteen

The Downpour

Bennett

Glancing out of the enormous expanse of glass, Bennett’s gaze settled on the place where the stretching overcast sky bled into the top of gray skyscrapers. Wherever he looked, the world was awash with sinister clouds, as though the ominous weather was trying to send him a message.

Something’s not right.

Bennett was hardly a superstitious man. He’d never believed in any god and had never given any thought to so-called ‘signs from the universe,’ but the older he got, the more pensive he found himself on the subject.

The life that had once only revolved around lines of white powder and pussy, now seemed to hold a much greater gravity. Staring out at the city, he realized his existence was about more than only the extent of his ego.

He had to start thinking about legacy. He had a daughter, for fuck’s sake—someone else to give a shit about—but so far, all he’d done was make things worse for her.

“I traded her for money.” He flinched, lowering his chin as his voice steamed up the pane. “I dumped her in the woods.”

Resting his forehead against the glass, his heart fell. Like a snake hiding in the long grass,hehad done those things. Hewas supposed to be Ella’s father, yet he’d sold her out. It had all been his idea. Bowman hadn’t even contemplated taking Ella before he’d suggested it. Hell, the moron probably hadn’t even known Bennett had a daughter until then.

“I thrust them together.” His knees buckled as the words resounded, guilt resonating through his body. Remorse wasn’t something Bennett was used to experiencing, and he grimaced as the words tumbled from his mouth. “I forced them into that hut, and now he’s dragged her to this shithole.”

His gaze rose to take in the grim landscape beyond his window. Kenner had been fleeting with his feedback about Ella’s whereabouts, but all he’d told Bennett so far was that she was somewhere in this concrete jungle.

“I have to call him.” He reached into his pocket and tugged out his phone. “Need to find out where she is.”

He scanned his contacts, his stomach lurching as his fingertip grazed over Kenner’s name. Not so long ago, Kenner had been his benefactor, but now he was an obstacle between him and his daughter. Bennett’s free hand balled into a fist as his anxiety morphed into resentment. It was as if he had to impress Kenner before he’d pass on her location. Bennett despised him for that.

Hitting the button to make the call, he turned his back to the city and leaned against the window. The dialing tone reverberated through his eardrum and down his treacherous spine, exacerbating his churning trepidation.

“Bennett.” Kenner’s reply echoed down the line like an exasperated sigh. “What is it?”

“Well, hello to you, too.” Bennett’s attempt at levity vanished at the gruff tone that greeted him.

“I said, what is it?”

Typical Kenner.He’d always been an asshole, but he was a rich one and the sort of ally Bennett had needed to keep on his side.

“I want to know where my daughter is.” Bennett might as well cut straight to the point. Kenner’s terse response invited his directness, and he was more than happy to oblige the jerk.

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