Page 43 of Revenant

Which leaves me even more confused as to why he would risk coming to this hellhole.

“Do you honestly think you or a few ghosts would keep me from something that is mine?” My thoughts scatter at the dark promise in his eyes, but I’m sure I misunderstood.

“Huh?”Very eloquent, Rue, I chide to myself, wincing at how I can’t seem to even string two words together when he looks at me like that, like he actually wants me, but that can’t be right,can it? I don’t examine that thought too closely for fear I might be reading the situation incorrectly.

I can’t afford to hope then be wrong.

It would crush the last bit of my soul I have left.

Hicks rubs a thumb gently along my cheekbone, his gaze softening, revealing emotions I didn’t know he was capable of feeling, much less showing. His hand slips around to cradle the back of my head, and he shuffles forward until I’m pressed against his chest.

It takes me a second to realize what he’s doing.

He’s hugging me…almost as awkwardly as I hug people.

I suspect it’s something that he doesn’t do often, if ever. Very gingerly, much like I’m wrapping my arms around a grizzly bear, I hug him back. He’s stiff at first, his arms tightening almost painfully, but I don’t say a word, not wanting to break the fragile moment.

“The only thing the journals showed me was that I was a complete and utter idiot.” He rests his cheek on the top of my head, then sighs heavily, his breath feathering my hair. “I don’t do well with secrets. I act a little…irrational when people keep something from me.”

I snort at the understatement, and my eyes nearly bug out of my head when a hum of amusement rumbles in his chest. He sighs and pulls back a tiny bit to gaze down at me. “I understand the reason you kept your secret, it’s a good reason, but I couldn’t seem to look past it.”

“And now?’ I nibble on my bottom lip, peering up at him from under my lashes, uncertain I want to know the answer. I very much fear he will break my heart all over again.

“Now?” His eyebrows shoot up, then a cocky grin spills across his face. “Now, you’re mine.”

To him, it’s just that simple.

I duck my head, pressing my forehead against his chest, my thoughts too jumbled to decipher. While I want to trust him, want to believe him, I’ve been betrayed one too many times. I’ve seen so much bad in the world that I’m not sure I can trust anything good without expecting a trap.

Cynical?

Maybe, but it’s kept me alive this long.

As if he senses my hesitation, he fists the strands of my hair in his hand and yanks my head back until I’m looking up at him again. The sensation is just short of pain, and a hint of violence lingers in his eyes. “I’ll work on earning your forgiveness. I’m not an easy man, so I’ll probably fuck up again and again. For the moment, let’s focus on escaping this place, okay?”

I nibble on my bottom lip as I survey him, battling my doubts. I can tell he’s trying because he normally issues orders in a brisk, cutting tone. This time, when he speaks to me, a subtle hint of coaxing enters his voice, a softness to his tone that I’ve never heard before.

Very reluctantly, he pulls away, and my insides spark with heat when I realize that he hates the separation as much as I do. I’m almost free of him when he stiffens, a stormy expression darkening his face. I’m not even aware of backing away until the gurney behind me is pressed against my ass.

“Rue…what deal did you make with the doctor?” Something about his silky tone says he won’t allow me to get away with not telling him a second time.

Fuck. Shit. Fuck.

I purse my lips, then steal my spine and lift my chin. “I either willingly participate, or you and the others will become his next test subjects.” Even saying the words aloud sends a shiver of revulsion reverberating down to my very bones. Something tells me that if the good old doctor ever touches the men, they will never be the same again.

Not.

Happening.

Inhaling deeply, I pretend I don’t see the ghosts flickering into existence at the periphery of my vision. I will not lose control. First, I need to get the guys to safety, then I’ll allow myself to have emotions.

“Don’t you dare,” Jaceson snarls from behind me, only his ferocity is slightly muted from being knocked out and drugged. His hand clamps down around my wrist, and I whirl, sagging in relief when I find him awake and aware…and glaring at me.

Okay, maybe not that last one.

He is sporting a nasty bruise along his jaw, another one near his temple, and an assortment of others decorating his arms and torso.

Rage burns so strong and bright that they would dare lay a hand on my man, much less beat the crap out of him, that darkness billows across the laminated floor like a sinister fog. The only thing keeping it from exploding through the hospital and infecting everything is the overwhelming guilt weighing me down.

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