Page 52 of Redd

His eyes fell back on mine, swallowing me whole. His pupils were huge, a vast expanse of black that ate away at the mahogany ring.“She died protecting us.”

He said it with passion, tinted with an anger that I tried to figure out. Was he angry that she had given her life for her children? Was he upset that she hadn't done something differently? Had hindsight come to haunt him in his dreams?

“That's a noble thing she did, I'd like to think I'd do the same if I had a child.”

“It's not about being noble or being a hero or any shit like that. There are some things you just do. Like protecting your family. You don't think about it, you just do it.”

His words rang in my head, making me wonder where I fell in a statement like that. He was protecting his family now, and I could tell by his tone that he wouldn't think twice about giving his life for Vicki.

I had only thought about my family when I tore his home apart, completely irate over the idea that Diablo would get to them first.

What did that say about my father?

Was he protecting his family by giving me away. . . Or was he protecting himself?

In what way had he protected me?

Redd's mother had given her life for them.And my father had given me to a man that was going to end mine.

Diablo beat me, he tortured me, treated me like I was a a fucking object.

Did he even try to protect me?

Not once, not one single time had he come to rescue me. He left me there to die and I wasn't sure how to digest that.

“Are you alright?” Redd asked, stepping to my side and cupping my elbow.

I had gone off into my own head again, thinking way too hard about the differences between my father and his mother. I had no right to compare the two, it was wrong on so many levels to try and build a bridge between the actions of our parents.

But how was I supposed to feel?

I can't judge yet, I don't have all the pieces.

“Yeah, I'm good.” Picking up the sweater and yoga pants, I gave him a tender smile. “These will be great, thank you.”

“Okay, I'll be right out here if you need anything.” His thumb drew small circles over my elbow, while his fingertips feathered against my forearm.

Our eyes met, his surveying my face as he continued to sweep his thumb up and down, left and right.

Gliding like silk over the skin, his touch forced a chill to rake up my arm, and shoot down my spine.

Inhaling a sharp breath, I shook my head, acknowledging what he had said. I couldn't speak, the words lost to this new onslaught of feelings that came over me.

I felt hot and cold, I felt tingles and butterflies. My nipples went stiff, and my sex had started to melt, growing wet and warm as he continued to stroke my flesh.

Blinking with feigned innocence, his eyes traced a path down my throat and onto the hardened peaks beneath my thin shirt. A luminous glow escaped his gaze as he smiled, sending my heart into my throat.

Taking a quick step back, I curled my arms around my chest and looked down at my toes. My lungs tightened between anxious breaths, heart pounding in my ears. There was something about the way he looked at me that made my knees weak and my nerves tumble into overdrive.

What the hell is going on with me?

Redd uncomfortably ran his hand over the back of his neck, rubbing it vigorously. I could tell from the way he shifted on his heels that he could sense the discomfort that had suddenly taken me hostage.

But he was reading me wrong. I wasn't uncomfortable; I was surprised and shocked by the response my body was giving his touch. I was afraid of how much I liked it, I was battling lost feelings as they exploded from the depths and took me without warning.

“Why don't you take that stuff and go take a hot shower. Take all the time you need.” Backing out into the hall, he slapped his hands together, cracking his knuckles. “I'll be out here when you're done.” I watched him turn and walk away, leaving me alone.

Pulling the clothes to my chest, I hugged them as I swallowed my heart and let out the breath I had been holding on to.

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