Page 45 of Malice

Aster jerks and flies across the room, slamming into the wall, and I scream, “No!”

I fall too, thankfully landing on the couch. Suddenly, Aster is beside me, pulling me into his arms. His dog jumps between us, licking my face. I tremble, trying to catch my breath, and press my face into the crook of Aster’s neck.

“You’re okay now,” he says, rubbing my back. “I’ve got you.”

I pull back enough to see his face. “Are you okay?”

He nods, smiling. “Takes a lot to hurt me.” He brushes my hair from my face. “Did it hurt you?”

I shake my head. “Just scared me. It was like I was paralyzed or something. I couldn’t get to you.”

His brow creases. “He’s gaining strength and ability. He trapped Crash and the others.”

“I heard Crash speak. I saw his outline.”

“Yeah? That’s interesting.”

Aster looks to his left for a moment and nods before directing his gaze back to me.

“Can we call Jocelyn?” he asks. “I have a question or two.”

“Of course.” Neither of us makes a move, and before I can overthink it, the words are out of my mouth. “I don’t want you to let me go. I feel safe right now.”

He tightens his hold around my waist. “I don’t want to let you go either. I’m responsible for you and he got to you as soon as I let my guard down. I’m sorry, Hudson.”

“That’s not it. We’re not dealing with a regular person, obviously. You have to sleep too.”

“That’s why I want to talk to Jocelyn. She might know some protections we can use.”

“They don’t teach you that stuff at your job?”

He scoffs. “It’s on-the-job training.” He rests his hand on my cheek. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”

“I know. I haven’t believed anyone in almost two years, but I believe you. I don’t even know why.”

“He didn’t destroy your instincts. It may have felt like that, but he didn’t.”

I nod, blinking back the emotions building inside me. “Prove me right, please. Don’t make me regret trusting you.”

“I promise,” he says, and as he leans closer, I’d swear he’s gonna kiss me, but he stops short just as his warm breath fans across my lips.

Is it weird that I want this man, this near stranger, to kiss me? It’s gotta be the trauma talking.

“My life depends on saving yours,” he says, dragging his thumb across my chin. “And even if my own fate wasn’t tied up in this…” He pauses, swallowing so hard I see his Adam’s apple bobble in his throat.

“What?”

“I care, Hudson. Seeing this up close, I could never turn my back on you. I wouldn’t be able to sit back and let this happen without doing everything I can to help. You don’t deserve this. Not now and not before.”

“I’ve replayed every interaction with Chester a thousand times, looking for what I did wrong, you know? Did I lead him on? Did I say the wrong thing?”

“It’s not something you did. It’s how he was wired and apparently still is.”

“That’s what the therapist told me. I’m working on believing it, but it’s hard when he’s still here. Still stalking me. Why, Aster? Our relationship was casual at best and over quickly. What is it about me that he’s so obsessed with?”

“There’s no good answer, but maybe he was attracted to the same qualities I see in you. Maybe he wanted his dark, miserable soul to be in your light for a while. Maybe he saw something good and beautiful in you and wanted it for himself because he’s never had anything good or beautiful in his life.”

I stare at Aster in amazement. Is he even real?

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