Page 95 of Savage Protector

Zayn is silhouetted behind the shower screen, rubbing shampoo into his hair. I watch as he finishes the task and lets the water stream over his head before reaching for the soap. I tug the loose-fitting T shirt I wore to sleep in over my head and drop it on the floor, then step forward.

His eyes widen when I slip into the shower beside him, but he moves over to make room for me.

I ignore the cascading warmth and slide my arms around his waist, lifting my face to kiss his neck. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me, too,” he murmurs. “How…how are you?”

A good question. Averygood question, and I don’t honestly know the answer. I reply with what I do know.

“It was a shock, finding out like that. You should have told me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I was going to, but I was waiting for the right moment. Then I was called away, so…”

“Don’t do that again. Keep things from me. I’m not a delicate little flower who can’t know the truth.”

“Aren’t you? I gather you reacted pretty badly.”

“You spoke to Jack?”

“Yes, and I get it. I do. I know that this isn’t your world. I thought?—”

“Not my world?” I step back to be able to look him in the eye. “What world am I in, then? I’m here, aren’t I? With you.”

“Yes. Now. But…for how long?”

“What do you mean? Do you want me to leave?” I step away, stunned. I hadn’t anticipated this, not after…

He grabs me and hauls me back against him. “God, no. I just thought… You were so angry.”

“Shocked is closer to the mark. I couldn’t believe you’d done that. Murdered people. For me.”

“There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you, Leila. Don’t you realise that yet?”

“But this is big.”

“I know. But, just let me explain. Maybe you can?—”

“Jack explained. He was very…persuasive.”

“Did he threaten you? It’s his job to protect the organisation, and I gather you were keen to go to the police. He couldn’t allow that. But if he did scare you, I’m sorry.”

“He didn’t scare me, exactly. Well, maybe a bit. He pointed a few things out to me, though. What he said made sense.”

“Good. I think.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “I should have told you everything, I know that, but I ran out of time. Do you have any more questions for me? Is there anything else you need to know?”

I chew on my lip, then blurt what’s been on my mind since Jack left me yesterday. “Farah would have been next, wouldn’t she?”

“Farah?”

“My sister,” I clarify. “She’s sixteen, and…”

He nods. “Yes. Probably. Your uncle was an entitled, arrogant shit who liked getting is own way, and he’d certainly have seen her as fair game. He’d lost control of you, but she was still there.”

“I’m glad he’s gone.” I make the statement without hesitation. “They’re safe now, Farah and Amina. She’s only ten, but…”

---