Page 15 of Revenant

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let her go without a struggle, not when she feels so right in my arms.

“We’re safe. There are no cameras.” I should know, I’ve been over every damn inch of the place. Studying the floorplans meant shit when they had a secret underground facility not on any records. During my shifts, I’ve mentally mapped the area, cataloging the security system, shift change, and guard rotation.

The fucking place has so few weaknesses, it’s going to be a bitch getting her out.

Instead of being reassured by my words, Rue stiffens in my arms, then adjusts her bra until her beautiful breasts are hidden from my gaze. Not once does she look at me as she rights her clothes, and I can’t stop my growl of protest, biting my lip to keep from begging her not to hide from me.

My battered heart can’t take her pulling away from me so soon after getting her back.

When she drags her shirt over her head, I can’t stop my hand from dropping to her hips again, as if I can stop her from leaving. When she shrugs off my hold and stands, tucking in her shirt,I barely stifle a whimper, very much sounding like a wounded animal.

“Princess, don’t go. Please.” My voice breaks, and I don’t give a shit that I’m pleading for scraps of her attention. My soul will shatter if she turns away from me now, and my life won’t ever be the same. I’ll eat and breathe, but it won’t be living.

The same thing happened when my sister died.

The only thing that brought me back was Rue.

I can’t lose her too.

I won’t.

Filled with a new resolve to win her back, I stand and stalk toward her. If it takes an eternity to earn her forgiveness, I will survive off whatever attention she is willing to give me. I’ll follow her to the ends of the world, make myself indispensable. She’ll eventually learn she can’t live without me.

Hearing my footsteps, she whirls to face me, a furrow between her brows. I reach out to smooth it away, and she fucking flinches. It guts me, and I struggle not to take it personally. Everyone in her life has hurt her in one way or another, including me. I would never lay a hand on her in anger, but it might take some time to convince her that she can trust me again.

I’ll have to gentle her to my touch gradually.

Eventually, she’ll seek comfort from me again.

Very slowly, I reach forward and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, my resolve firming when she doesn’t slap my hand away.

Rue still has feelings for me.

For now, that’s enough.

As if forgetting her anger for a second, she leans into my touch. But before I can slip my hand behind her neck and pull her closer, she sighs and steps back. “You shouldn’t have come.”

I snort at the absurdity and cross my arms over my chest as I wait for her to spout whatever nonsense she has inside her head. “And why not?”

A bitter laugh escapes her, the sound so caustic that I flinch and I grit my teeth to keep from kissing her to make it stop.

“Are you serious?” She waves a hand around in the air, then shakes her head. “Look where we’re standing. This is my future, one way or another. You can’t save me from my fate.”

“The fuck I can’t,” I snarl back, taking an aggressive step toward her. It’s not until her back thumps against the door that her eyes widen in alarm. When I don’t see any true fear in her gaze, my chest swells with pride…and relief. Deep down, she knows I would never touch her in anger. “You gave us a choice, and I fucking made my decision. It’s you. It will always be you. You don’t get to change your mind now.”

I cup her jaw, forcing her head back, and my hand slides naturally around her throat. “You’re ours. We will follow you wherever you go.”

Tears glisten in her eyes, her bottom lip trembles, and I gently pull her against me. When she doesn’t resist, the tension in my shoulders eases a fraction. She takes a shuddering breath, then snuggles into my chest, and I slip my arms around her and rest my cheek on top of her head.

Not a moment later, she jerks back, and she gazes up at me with wide eyes. “You mean the others are here as well?”

The mixture of hope and panic in her expression settles me further. It’s been so long since anyone other than the guys gave a shit about me that I can’t help but feel a little giddy.

This gorgeous woman actually chose me.

It’s a miracle that I will never take for granted again.

“Only Jaceson is inside with us. He’s posing as a fellow patient. The others are waiting for word on your exact location.”I tighten my hold, pulling her flush against me once more. I actually found her, she’s real, and safe in my arms.

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