Page 110 of Vengeance of Childhood Proportions

His dark green eyes bore into mine. “I’m sorry, Holly. For what happened to you, for what you’ve suffered through. I’m not saying this as a cop, but as a man. I am so sorry.”

My breath hitched in my throat. As my chin quivered, a tear escaped my left eye. “They raped me,” I said, my voice moist with unshed sorrow.

Master Mal reached up to catch the tear running down my cheek. “I know.” His voice was as low as mine. “I’m so sorry. It’s beyond inexcusable.”

I leaned my face into his hand. “Do you know everything?”

He nodded, his face closer to mine now. “I believe so. The only thing I don’t know is what’s next for you, Little Owl. So much of your life has been dictated by the choices that were taken from you. Now I’m asking not what your plans are or what you think you have to do. I am asking whatyouwant to do. What do you want, Holly Marteen?”

There was no better sound in the world than hearing my name from his lips. My heart felt like it was going to burst into a million pieces every time. I loved when he called me his little owl, but hearing ‘Holly’ in his deep baritone voice was indescribable.

There was only one answer, and if I was going to jail or if this was the last time I would see him, then there was no reason to not be honest. “You,” I answered, staring down at him. “I swear, Sir, I never played you. I didn’t know who you were that first time.”

“But you did when I approached you at the bar?”

Ashamed, I nodded. “Jason was so pissed, but he didn’t understand—still doesn’t—why I feel safe with you.”

“Even now?” he asked, likely indicating the fact that he was armed. He probably didn’t realize I was too.

“Yes.” Slowly, I reached up to touch the dark circle under his right eye. “You would never hurt me, Master.”

His hand dropped to the leather still around my throat. “You’re still wearing it.”

“I can’t take it off,” I reminded him softly. “Only you can.”

My heart practically shattered as his fingers worked the buckle in the back and gravity pulled the warm leather down onto my lap.

“You’re free of my service, Little Owl.” Tears streamed from my eyes and I swore my body forgot how to breathe. But he didn’t drop his hands as he had my collar. Instead, he cupped my face between his large palms. “I’m going to ask you again, Holly. Free of any contractual obligations, free of any expectations. What doyouwant?”

My answer did not change. “You,” I pleaded. “Please, Sir, I just want you.”

“And you would return to Juneau with me? To be my sub for the rest of our days?”

I hesitated, because I really had no desire to return there. “If that’s your wish, Sir.”

He studied my face for a moment before concluding, “But you’re done with Alaska, aren’t you, Little Owl? That’s why you drove. Where are you headed next?”

I sniffled. “Anywhere that doesn’t have snow.”

Master Mal nodded, and I swore I saw something calculating behind his gaze. “I’d love to see you on a beach.” His thumb rubbed along my cheek. “You’re too pale, Little Owl.”

I gasped when he pulled my face down to his. His lips are soft, but just as demanding as they’ve always been. Hope anddespair war within me as I cling to him. Would this be our last kiss? Ever? If so, I never wanted it to stop. I wanted to fuse our lips together so all I would ever know was the taste and the feel of this man.

But unfortunately, it had to end. Master Mal pulled back, and devastation crashed over me, tears pouring from my eyes like someone had left a faucet on. I was trying to be strong, but I didn’t have it in me anymore. I didn’t have the strength to say ‘goodbye’ to this man.

Leaning up, he pressed his lips to my forehead. My entire body was shaking under his touch.

In a swift, single motion, Master Mal pulled his gun out from the small of his back, pointed it at Principal Hagley, and pulled the trigger.

I jumped at the loud bang as the principal fell, a red circle now between his eyes. Shock kept me frozen on the bed.

Jason cracked one eye open, turned to see Hagley was now dead, and then settled back down again. “Three minutes,” he grunted, which was his standard timer when we weren’t familiar with an area’s response time.

Master Mal straightened to his full height before me, offering the hand that wasn’t holding his gun.

All I could do was stare at his palm, precious seconds ticking by in my head. “Why?” I finally was able to ask, shifting my eyes up to his. I wasn’t angry that he’d taken Hagley’s death away from me. In an odd way, I was relieved it was all over, even if I hadn’t been the one to do it. I was just completely confused that Master Mal had been the one to end Principal Hagley’s life.

“Because I love you more than I love the law,” he answered in a steady voice. “And I’ll be damned if anyone besides me gives you the freedom you crave.”

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