Page 28 of Ice

“Not sure if I’m your true love, but I know we’re both awake now.”

“What happened? Were you in my bathroom?”

“No,” he assured. “I was making pancakes, and I need to get back down to the kids. Aiden said the man that rushed out of the house was the same one who killed his mother.”

“What!” Panic widened her eyes as she clutched the blanket tighter to her chest.

“Did you get injected with something?”

“No,” she said, bringing her hand to her forehead. “I thought I saw someone, and I got out of the shower, then felt weak. How did he get in?”

“Back door maybe? The patio door was locked, but there was a stick in the corner.”

“This doesn’t make sense.” Her body began to tremble. “I have a security system. I didn’t let someone in like Misty did.”

“Bree, baby,” he consoled, bringing his forehead to hers and cupping her cheek, “you did nothing wrong. Messed-up part is, neither did I this time.”

“This was John, wasn’t it?” she questioned.

“Get dressed. I’ll make some calls. We can stay somewhere else tonight.”

“This is my house,” she rebutted, her face twisting with disgust, “and every inch feels off now.”

“Hey,” he countered, hoping to calm her down. “You protected mine, which means I will protect you with more than my life.”

“What more is there than your life?”

“Every Sinner,” he pledged, “will see you as theirs.”

“Theirs how?” she questioned as her finger absently brushed along her bottom lip.

“Not that way,” he promised, leaning in for a single kiss. “That is for me and me alone.”

“Why do I think you made that pledge to Misty a lifetime ago?”

“Because you’re book smart, Luscious.” He winked. “Not street smart. I never thought of claiming Misty.”

“One kiss and you’re pledging yourself to me?” she scoffed.

“It wasn’t the kiss,” he offered with a surety he’d never known before.

“This is crazy.” Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “Two days ago you were Misty’s shitty baby daddy to me.”

“And now?” Ice lifted her chin so their eyes were locked as she blinked hers open.

“You are every man my daddy warned me about when I was growing up,” she said, and he couldn’t help the curl of his lip.

“And I thought women like you only existed in fairy tales,” he replied. “But we aren’t children, Bree.”

“But there are two downstairs probably starting a fire in my living room.”

“Right.” Remembering he actually had responsibilities, Ice stood, holding his hand out to lift her and make sure the woman could stand. He had to help her balance. Whatever was in her system would need water and air to flush it out. “You good, Luscious?”

“No, but I’m able,” she said.

“Okay, I’m going to make sure I get all the scorch marks painted over before you get downstairs.”

“Ice,” she chastised, catching his hand with the slightest of touches, only to release him and hold back.

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