Page 73 of Inside the Wicked

“I’ve been through arguably more threatening things,” she says. “Silas could have been exactly like Matthew, and I walked right in.”

I don’t need to be reminded of that right now. I haven’t decided if I trust Silas or not. I’m leaning more toward absolutely no way in seven hells. But he got me out more swiftly than I’ve ever seen before considering the secure and highly guarded location. He’d strolled in as if he damn well owned the place and I have no doubt Alistair Lanshall is losing his shit over it.

“You have a whole lot of explaining to do, little bird.”

“All clear,” Rix says.

Thank fuck.

I shuffle along, taking Ana with me, back under the window. It’s going to be a tricky balance to get it open. I strain with my feet against the wall, push the window up, and manage to haul myself over. I don’t miss a beat, leaning out to grab Ana around her forearms.

“You need to hold onto me back, and I’ll pull you up,” I say as calmly as I can.

I know Rix has eyes on the place, but I can’t let go of my racing adrenaline that he could miss someone before I get Ana back onto solid ground.

“Don’t let me fall,” she says, voice laced with fear.

“Never. Look at me.”

Those stunning hazel eyes turn up, and I promise my soul to her in them.

“I’ve got you.”

Ana gasps, reaching up. It wobbles her back a fraction, and she whimpers, but I have her.

“Use your feet to climb if you can,” I instruct. She does so, and from there it’s a few effortless seconds before I’m pulling her through the window into my arms.

Our heartbeats slam together as I hold her tight, leaning back against the side wall.

“I can’t believe we just did that,” she pants.

Honestly, me too.Of all the wild and crazy scenarios I’ve found myself in over the years, this definitely shot to top of the list for spur-of-the-moment insanity.

She laughs, and I know it’s the high of adrenaline and the absolute fuckery of our lives right now, but I join her.

“You two had better get your asses down to the garage before you lose any more of your minds. We’re just about to pull up,” Rix says.

I take out the earpiece to have a moment alone with her after all that.

“You’re incredible,” I say, tucking her bed-tousled, windswept, deep red hair behind her ear. Not a thing has changed, and no matter what, she’s still the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.

“All I did was follow,” she says.

I take her hand as we make our way down the stairs and untuck my gun as a precaution.

“You shouldn’t put so much trust in a criminal,” I muse.

“Bodyguard criminals are an exception.”

I catch a glimpse of the gun Ana’s holding too, and I can’t decide what I feel to see her so ready to fire with me. Escape with me. Run with me. Guilt, so much guilt, wraps around me, but only because I’m so damnproudand relieved she’s still here. I haven’t quite processed all she did to try to find me, because I’m sure owing her my life isn’t enough anymore, and I’m still tryingto figure out how to give this woman everything she deserves and so much fucking more.

We pause in the doorway into the garage, and I lean out, gun raised, to check the area. It’s silent until a car comes down. We change our plates often, and the windows are tinted black, so I don’t immediately trust it’s Rix.

The back door opens, and my finger bears down a fraction more on the safety until a large black dog comes bounding out.

“Hey, boy!” Ana gushes when Shadow sniffs her out instantly.

I relax, watching her kneel and nuzzle into the dog.

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