Page 20 of Damned
Her hand dropped to his wrist. “I’m just tired. Go. Save the world. Be who you were meant to be.”
“But…” He had no idea who he was meant to be, except alone again. Gawddamnit, for a moment in the cave, he’d had something elusive, but precious. It was crazy, but he’d felt like he’d had Bree all to himself, and he wanted her back. With her came a sense of finally belonging. That he mattered. Not just because of his job and reputation, not just for his skill set or abilities, but because he was just gawddamned him. Bree had the knack of looking at him and seeing the real Kruze. She made him feel that elusive something else.
Trembling, Kruze lifted her slender hand to his lips. He closed his eyes and kissed it, wishing he didn’t have to let go. What the hell was wrong with him that he couldn’t form the words he’d come here to say? Goodbye. Seven letters. How hard could it be? Gawddamned hard. This really was the end. He’d never see her again, and he had no idea why that hurt like it did.
Shit! Man up and get the fuck out of this vehicle and let these guys save her or… or… tell her what? You love her? Do you?
“I… I…”By hell, that’s it. I think I do.Kruze blinked and shook his head. He was embarrassing himself and Bree, too. “I guess this is goodbye,” spilled out of his dumb mouth.
“Goodbye, Kruze Sinclair. I’ll never forget you.”
“I… I…” What was wrong with him?!
Bree patted his hand. “You should leave. They’re taking me to the base hospital for a complete physical, then I’m going home. I’ll be fine.”
But I won’t be. Kee-rist, his heart felt like it was crawling out of his chest. It took everything Kruze had to let Bree go and back his ass out of the ambulance. The second his boots hit the pavement, the medic closed the gate, and it was happening. Bree was going one way; Kruze was going the other. He’d never see her again.
Which shouldn’t matter. This was just the end of another successful mission, nothing more. He couldn’t count the times he’d done this exact same thing.Save the HVT. Wave goodbye. See ya later. Adios.It was no big thing.
Only this time… it felt like this HVT was taking his heart with her.
