Page 85 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
His breathing gradually steadies, but he doesn't pull away. I'm struck by how different he feels in my arms compared to our training sessions. There, he was all controlled power and deadly grace. Now, his strength has given way to something raw and honest.
"I'm sorry," he murmurs against my shoulder.
I shake my head, my hair brushing against his face. "Don't apologize. You don't have to be strong all the time, Kade."
He lets out a shaky breath that warms my skin. "Yes, I do. People depend on me. I can't be weak."
"This isn't weakness, this is being human."
He finally pulls back, his blue eyes meeting mine. They're red-rimmed and filled with a vulnerability I've never seen before. It makes my breath catch in my throat.
"Thank you, for being here," he whispers.
I reach up, gently wiping a tear from his cheek. "Always."
I shift to sit beside him, our shoulders touching. Our shared silence feels sacred, filled with grief and unspoken words.
"Tell me about him," I say, hoping to offer some comfort through memories.
A sliver of a smile flickers across Kade's face. "Roman was... larger than life. Brilliant strategist, natural leader. He could walk into any room and command attention without saying a word."
I listen as Kade shares stories, his voice growing steadier with each memory. But I can see the pain lurking beneath the surface, threatening to overwhelm him again.
"I should have been there," he says suddenly, his fists clenching. "If I'd figured it out sooner,maybe—"
"Kade, stop," I interrupt gently, placing my hand over his. "This isn't your fault. You can't torture yourself with 'what ifs'."
He looks at me, his blue eyes swimming with grief.
"When we found him, there was so much blood," he whispers, his voice breaking. "He died alone, Alina. After everything he did for me... I couldn't even be there when he needed me most."
My chest constricts painfully. The raw agony in his voice makes my eyes blur with tears.
"He knew you would come for him," I say, my voice trembling. "He trusted you until the end."
"I can't lose anyone else," he confesses, so quietly I almost miss it.
My heart aches at the raw pain in his voice. I want to promise him that he won't, but we both know that would be a lie in his dangerous world.
Instead, I take his hand, careful of his bruised knuckles.
"I can't promise that won't happen," I say honestly. "But I can promise you're not alone."
Kade's fingers tighten around mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something else in his eyes, a warmth that makes my breath catch. But then he blinks, and his walls start to rise again.
"We should get some rest." His voice has regained its usual controlled tone. "Tomorrow's going to be... challenging."
I nod, understanding his need to retreat, to process his grief in private. As I stand to leave, Kade catches my wrist gently.
He rises to his feet, his body radiating heat as he moves closer. My heart pounds against my ribs so hard it hurts. His blue eyes meet mine, filled with vulnerability and something else I can't quite name.
I lean in, intending to place a gentle kiss on his cheek—a gesture of comfort, of understanding.
But as I hesitate, my lips just inches from his skin, Kade turns unexpectedly. Suddenly, his mouth is on mine, and the world falls away.
The kiss is intense, but not aggressive. It's slow, deep, and achingly sensual. His lips move against mine with a tenderness that makes my knees weak. I melt into him, my body responding instinctively to his touch.
My mind races, trying to process the flood of sensations. This is Kade—my protector, my trainer, the man I've come to trust with my life. And now, he's kissing me like I'm his lifeline.
