Page 348 of Legacy

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Enough to breathe again.

Chapter 59

Adriana Scarlet

His hands are gentle on my skin.

I want to cry.

I want to scream.

I want words.

But all I feel is numb.

But under the numb, something hot flickers. Anger.

Atthem. For caging me. Hitting me, Threatening me.

At him. Foraskingme to shoot him.

At myself for shaking.

Everything Luciano trained me for—everything Iknewwould happen if I stood in a life like this—is crashing down around me.

And still, I can’t feel more than nothing.

There’s relief.

But it’s buried under the choking weight of dread.

My eyes meet his.

He’s talking to me as the water cascades around us.

I want to hear him. I do.

But my body is in survival mode and it won’t let me out.

His thumbs brush my cheeks.

His palms are warm.

His voice echoes in broken pieces, until suddenly, one lands.

“—if you want to leave, you can. Back to Florida, where you were safe. Or… we’ve got safe houses in Alaska, if you need to be alone.”

He takes a breath.

Grabs the loofah.

Lathers it.

Takes my hand gently in his and starts to wash my arm. The steam curls around us, fogging the glass, the smell of soap sharp in the warm air.

“I know you don’t feel safe right now. I know that’s my fault.”

He pauses, his voice tighter now.

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