Page 14 of Declan

“Do not open this door for anyone. Do not answer your phone. Do not call anyone. I need to handle this, and I need to know while I’m doing it that you’re safe. I can’t be worrying about you, not right now.”

Something flickers in her expression. Maybe understanding, maybe even trust. Her shoulders relax just a fraction, and she nods again, this time with more conviction.

“Okay.”

I exhale, some of the tension in my chest loosening.

“You can put the TV on if you want. I’ll be gone for a while.” I grab my cut and slip it on over my t-shirt. “There’s food and drinks in the fridge. Help yourself to anything.”

Her voice is quiet, hesitant. “What are you going to tell Wesley?”

I turn around and nearly crash into her.

Fuck.

She’s so close, close enough that I can still smell the faint trace of my soap on her skin, but beneath it, that sweet coconut scent that’s all hers wraps around me like a fucking noose. And she looks so small in my clothes, swallowed up by them, like she’s mine in some way that she isn’t.

And fuck if that doesn’t make me jealous.

I clear my throat and shove my hands in my pockets before I do something stupid. “Wesley will just be happy I found this scumbag. He’s not going to ask any questions.” It’s a lie. Wesley and Hux will ask a million questions, but she doesn’t need to worry about that.

The relief that washes over her face makes the lie worth it.

“Okay,” she murmurs, then hesitates. “Be careful.”

I huff out a soft chuckle, shaking my head. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

Before I can think twice about it, I pull her in for a hug.

She melts against me, gripping the back of my shirt under my cut like she’s afraid to let go. Maybe it’s gratitude. Maybe it’s relief.Or maybe just maybe she just wants to keep me here a little longer.

And fuck, if I don’t want to stay.

It feels too good. She feels too good.

I pull back before I let myself sink too deep, tucking a damp strand of her hair behind her ear. Her eyes flick up to mine, something unreadable swirling in their depths.

I force myself to step back, to let the space stretch between us again. “I’ll be back later. Please, don’t answer the door or use your phone.”

She nods, the smallest ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “I won’t. I promise.”

I want to believe her.

I just don’t know if I do.

Without looking back, I lock the door and close it behind me. There’s no other option but to walk to the abandoned gas station. If he sees my bike, he’ll leave immediately. I need to make sure I get this asshole before he even realizes he’s caught.

The walk is short, but it’s the longest walk I’ve ever taken. My thoughts are consumed with Lena. The way I feel when I’m around her. The things she’s been doing without any regard for herself. The need to protect her that I’ll never understand. The lies that are hidden. The truths that are buried. And the way I want to make this son of a bitch suffer for causing her one ounce of harm.

As I approach the gas station, I scan my surroundings, every nerve in my body on high alert. The place is run-down, reeking of stale gas and regret.

I slip into the dark, covered pathway that used to lead inside, pressing my back against the rough brick wall. My pulse is steady, my breaths slow and controlled.

Then, I hear it. The deep, throaty rumble of an engine. A cocky, attention-seeking exhaust that screams, look at me.

Jason.

The black Thunderbird rolls into the lot, sleek and polished, a stark contrast to the decay around it. I’m not surprised it’s him, but I am surprised he’s driving something this classic. It doesn’t fit him. He’s too much of a coward to appreciate the kind of power under that hood.

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