Page 15 of Promise Never

“Fuck that.” She tosses the book into the openedduffel bag and reaches towards me. “Give me my gun. I’ll take my chances outthere.”

My eyes blare open. “Are you insane, woman? Youcould have died last night. What makes you think you can handle anything?”

Anger warps her features. It’s apparent she hateswhen men challenge her. “Whether Iliveor die is noneof your business! Now give me my fucking gun, or I’ll take yours.”

“Really?” Doubtful, I snort at her. “I’d like tosee you try. Go ahead, Tiana. Take my gun.”

I watch the muscles twitch in her forehead and theodd way she’s rubbing her fingers with her thumb as if she’s counting down.

My instincts kick in when her eyes narrow.

Tiana leaps for my left side with speed akin to adamn cheetah.

I attempt to grab her arms. She pivots and elbowsme in the stomach, wheeling around as I arch over from the sudden impact.

The feel of her hand at my waistband prompts me toreact fast, releasing the magazine as she removes my gun.

The bullets fall to the floor when she points theweapon at me. Her eyes enlarge and haze over with blatant disappointment.

“Impressive skills,” I sputter, genuinely amazed.“You almost had it.”

A loose curl dangles in her face. She roughlyblows at it and tightens her grip on my gun. “There’s still one bullet left inthe chamber.”

“No, there isn’t, darling.” I nod at the gun. “Check.”

Frustrated huffs rush from her lips when sherealizes it’s empty. “Dammit.”

I stick my hands in my pockets. “You could pickthose up, but then I’d easily retrieve my weapon from you.”

“Ugh!” She tosses the gun to the sofa.

“Why are you so determined to get yourselfkilled?” I study her keenly. “Is there someone waiting for you back home?”

She levels me with a furious look. “Your brothermurdered the only family I had. I’d rather die out there than spend anothersecond under your roof.”

I close the little distance and grab her arm. “Whycan’t you understand that I’m trying to help you?”

“Help me?” she mocks. “The only way you can dothat is to resurrect my sister or disfigure your face.”

“Fuck,” I grunt from the insult. “You undoubtedlyknow how to strike with your tongue. Surely, I don’t look that much like him.”

A bitter sound gusts past her lips. “Every timeyou come nearme,I see that monster. I rememberthat…night….” Her voice cracks, and I catch just the tip of the agony she’sholding in her heart. It’s massive—no wonder she’s explosive with her tone andwords.

Tiana lowers her eyes to my hand that’s grippingher. She pulls away and staggers back to put space between us. “I’d appreciateit if you don’t touch me.”

I squint at her, unable to stop myself fromfeeling curious. “Just me or all men?”

Twisting her mouth, she squares her shoulders andlifts her chin. “Just you.”

“Hm.” I crouch and pick up the bullets, thenretrieve my gun. I glimpse the book in the duffel bag as I’m reloading. Thecover has her sister’s name imprinted in gold cursive. It must be a journal.

I glance at Tiana. Maybe being in my home isstirring an intense feeling of guilt. That’s why she badly wants to find Zenoand get out of here.

“What?” she hisses, shifting from one leg to theother as if anxious. I suppose it’s understandable, considering I’m juststaring at her.

Someone knocks on the door.

We both look over as my mother enters.

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