Page 95 of Chasing Sarah

I cup her face between my hands, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Whoever was in there is gone,mo réalta.”

“No. No, I can still help them. They need me.” Her tormented gaze cuts into my soul. I don’t know who she’s talking about. I don’t know any of the people she named inside.

There is so much you don’t know about this woman. She won’t let you in.

This isn’t about me. This is about her.

Tears roll down her cheeks, staining the thin layer of soot that covers her face.

“Boss, we need to leave. PD is on the way.”

“Shit.” My jaw flexes. I rarely fail a mission. This was supposed to be simple and quick. I made the mistake of not letting our law enforcement contacts know we were doing this. There is no way to confirm if those who are headed this way are allies.

“Baby, we need to go.” I hope she can hear the apology in my voice.

“Rhys.” Her lip quivers.

Crackling wood pulls my attention to the structure that is steadily, but quickly, becoming engulfed in flames.

Remorse builds and I almost give in to her plea. Almost talk myself into staying behind and finding whoever she’s wanting to save.

“Baby… I’m sorry.”

Her eyes widen. She presses her palms against my chest, pushing me away. “No. No, please. They’re in there, I know it!”

I toss her over my shoulder. She pounds and pounds my back, screaming to let her go.

“I will never forgive you for this! You’re letting them die!”

Doing my best not to let her words hit their mark, I keep striding toward the closest SUV. When I set her on the leatherseat, she beats on my chest. Her sobs twist my heart painfully like an embedded dagger.

Her fight leaves as soon as I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest. She slumps against me, letting out a cry that will haunt me for the rest of my existence.

* * *

She’s avoided me for days.

She all but plasters herself against the wall if we’re in the same room. I thought her avoidance before was bad. That was nothing compared to this.

I haven’t been able to get her to tell me what happened during that mission. What set her off, or who she thought was there. She ignores me or shuts down any conversation before it can even start.

Sitting at the kitchen counter, I mindlessly doom scroll. I plan to corner Sarah and get her to tell me what I can do. Even if it’s just to fuck off.

A self-deprecating smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

That’s what this woman has turned me into. A man who will beg for the slightest acknowledgment. She can spew venomous words, and I’d soak them up through my damn pores.

The door to the guest bedroom opens. Despite how much I hate it, I don’t fight her about sleeping in there.

I need all the points I can get if she’s going to open up to me in any capacity.

Her bare feet pad lightly on the tile flooring. I set my phone aside then turn to face her. We stare at one another, neither of us making a move to break the silence spanning between us.

She is the first to tear her eyes away. Making quick work, she pours herself a bowl of cereal, then strides toward the dining table.

I blow out a breath and rise from my seat.

Have you ever experienced such horrific emotional pain it eventually becomes almost numbing?

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