Page 22 of Protected from Malice
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them.
Eden’s face goes chalk white. Her shoulders hunch in. Her chin wobbles.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. Tears fill her eyes. “I really thought… It’s not the first time… I’ve just been so worried about Indy…”
As the tears break free, she turns away from me, shoulders shaking.
Hugging herself.
Trying in vain to comfort herself.
Which is what I should be doing. Notyellingat poor Eden while she’s scared and traumatized.
Guilt slams into me, stealing my breath.
An icy hand reaches into my chest and rips out my heart. Crushes it. Throws it on the ground.
Gentling my voice, I say, “Eden. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”
“I didn’t know. I just… I hoped it was all in my head.”
Fuck.
She sounds so small. Vulnerable. On the verge of breaking.
Before, at the house, at least it wasn’t entirely my fault.
This time it is.
“Eden,” I repeat more gently. Apologetically. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. It’s not your fault. I was just?—”
What? Furious at myself? So worried about Eden it’s hard to breathe? Feeling completely off-balance by the storm of emotions pummeling me?
And shit. The thought of losing Eden…
I can’t think it.
I won’t allow it.
Eden turns back to face me. Her face is streaked with tears. “I’m sorry, Rafe. I’m supposed to be so smart. But I guess… it was stupid.Iwas stupid.”
Confronted with her misery, I feel like I’m at a crossroads.
Do I stick with the things I’m good at? Making decisions based on logic and tactics and never letting emotions get in the way, using my skills to capture criminals, and protecting the innocent. Doing whatever it takes to protect my friends.
Or do I do what my instincts are telling me to?
“Eden.” I take her uninjured hand.
Her fingers are stiff at first. My heart sinks to my feet.
A beat later, her fingers curl around mine.
“Eden,” I repeat softly, “I’m really sorry. You’re not stupid. At all. I’m the one who was a stupid asshole. Yelling at you like that… I was worried. Iamworried. But it’s not an excuse.”
She stares at me silently, swallowing hard as she works to contain her tears.
Before I can stop myself, I brush my thumb across her cheek, catching the dampness there.
