Page 9 of GAF Factor

“It’s only been a few days.”

“I know, but…staying around here isn’t doing me any good.”

Sasha started biting my fingers playfully to the point where I had to set her down on the bed or risk having my hand scratched up by her back claws. Besides, I couldn’t hide behind a kitten, no matter how much I wanted to.

“You’re safe,” he bit out, his protective side coming out strong. “I just…we just got you back and?—”

“And I can’t stop living my life,” I said, turning to fully face him. “I know what you’re thinking. And yes, it is a little scary, but I can’t let that stop me from living. I won’t become a hermit and?—”

“I’m not suggesting you do that,” he argued. “But you were held for four fucking days! I thought I lost you and—” He cut himself off, turning away from me as he tried to rein in his anger. “When we opened those doors, I didn’t know if I was going to find you alive or not. And when I felt how cold you were, I nearly lost my goddamn mind.” His eyes came back to meet mine. “So, when I ask you to stay home, it’s not because I want to keep you to myself or make you stop living. It’s because I’m terrified that if you walk out that door, I might never see you again.”

My heart softened toward him even more. Walking over, I placed my hand on his cheek and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I know. But if I stay here, the terror will swallow me whole.”

His rough fingers brushed against my hand, and then he swiveled his head and pressed a kiss to my hand. “I know. I just…”

Behind all the brightness in his eyes, I saw words he desperately wanted to say. I stepped back before he got the chance, putting space between not only us, but the confession he was about to make.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, cutting off what he was about to say. I still didn’t know what to do or say about any of it, and if he said what I knew he wanted to, it would only muddy the waters.

“I’ll be with Riley, okay?”

“Just…keep your phone on.”

“I will.” I stepped back, my fingers dangling from his.

“I may call you.”

“And I’ll answer.”

“And I’ll text.”

“Okay,” I smiled.

“Multiple times.”

“I’ll answer every time. Just give me five minutes leeway before you call the police.”

He scoffed at that. “I wouldn’t call the police.”

“Thank God.”

“I have a whole team at my back that would arrive in tactical gear the moment I sent out the signal.”

Okay, that was so much worse. “Let’s try to avoid that.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

Walking away from him was like leaving a needy two-year-old. He watched me with sad eyes, his fingers itching at his sides. He wanted to run to me, to pull me back to his side, but I kept going until I was downstairs and striding out the door with Riley by my side.

“You made it,” she muttered as we headed down the walk.

“Keep moving or we might not get out of here.”

As soon as we were in the car, I made the mistake of looking back at the house. Kavanaugh and Bowie were both standing on the porch, their arms crossed over their chests as they watched us pull away. With wide eyes, I turned to Riley.

“That was creepy.”

“You’re telling me. When did we become those women?”

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