Page 44 of Between the Lies

Even though her experience in combat was sorely lacking, she jumped in, her fingers curled into claws. Nina scratched at their attacker’s face only to realise he wore some sort of mask.

The man’s hands came up to stop her, but Robert acted, kicking out at him.

Nina nodded her thanks to Robert then realised the attacker’s legs were squeezing Robert’s neck, so he might just have kicked him out of reflex.

She did the only thing she could: Nina gripped the attacker’s mask and pulled it upward. The force had the man’s head banging against the ground.Voila! She did it again and again, pounding his head like a baker kneading dough.

She continued her attack, even when the man’s legs fell away from Robert’s neck.

‘Nina, stop!’

But she didn’t, not until Robert’s arms wound around her, pulling her back. ‘Stop it, darling.’

Her chest was heaving, a scream broiling inside of her. ‘I… He tried killing me. Almost killed you.’

Instead of responding, Robert reached down and pulled the mask away entirely.

Their attacker couldn’t have been more than twenty. His skin was pale but fresh in a way that only someone youthful would possess.

Nina’s hands shook, so she clasped them together.

Robert reached out to check the lad’s pulse. ‘He’s breathing.’ Then he checked the boy’s head. ‘And he’s not bleeding, but I’m calling the medics. He might die of hypothermia otherwise.’

‘No!’ Nina gripped Robert’s coat. ‘You can’t call anyone – they’ll find us.’

Robert reached up and cupped her face. His hand was warm, a balm to her spiralling control. This was the second time someone had tried to kill her.Actually kill her.

‘Rob—’

Her words dissolved, and so did the panic when Robert leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

Nina wrapped her arms around Robert, drawing him in close. He cradled her in his arms, the feeling so foreign, it had her heart leaping with the feeling of safety.

She slanted her head, giving him deeper access to her, and he obliged, nibbling at her lower lip until she moaned.

‘Oh, Nina.’ He pressed a kiss to her lips and drew away with a sigh. Then he reached into his coat pocket and handed her a set of keys. ‘Go home. I’ll join you in a bit.’

Home. Nina snatched the keys, her hands now trembling for a different reason entirely. She gripped that talisman of freedom, then gazed into Robert’s eyes.

Even now, a storm swirled in those green pools. She leaned in and pecked him on the lips again. ‘Thank you.’ She got up and ran.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Over another cup of masala chai, Nina scolded her heart. It had been fluttering ever since the alley. Not with fear but with anticipation.

Nina groaned, debating not for the first time whether she should just go to bed or wait for Robert to return. The tea had helped soothe her. But it hadn’t helped her arrive at a conclusion. After fighting off their attacker, she was running on adrenaline. That adrenaline had led to their kiss – she was sure of it. If she’d been in her right senses, she’d have realised the issues with kissing Mr Good Cop.

They were bound together in a one-bedroom flat, their lives intertwined because of a horrible accident.

He was a cop and she a killer. They wouldn’t work – ever.

But then she pictured his broad frame, those eyes, lips and that need to be nice to people. Robert genuinely cared. He cared for Billy, for his friends, his wife and for Nina. Another man would’ve grown world-weary or faded away. But not him.

She set the mug down and rubbed her forehead. Who was she lying to? She had feelings for Robert… the heart-fluttering, doe-eyed kind of feelings.

Ever since she’d moved to the UK, she’d ensured none of her relationships ever grew serious. But Robert was the sort who thrived on serious.

If it had been a mess before, it was worse now. Much worse.

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