Page 83 of Seeking Two Lovers

Blaine rolled, the sight of his red-rimmed eyes stealing my breath. Agony poured from his gorgeous irises, punching me in the gut.

“I hurt you,” I choked on the words, my hands fisting in my lap.

“You set me free,” he argued, grabbing my hand and holding it tight to his chest. “And not just from that place. In here.” He tapped our palms over his heart. “I cracked open the darkness inside me I’ve been trying to deny and hide from you. Sharing my final secrets left me feeling half-dead but more alive than I’ve ever experienced, if that makes sense.”

His words and heavy exhale lessened but didn’t dissolve my remorse.

“But I brought it all back when I reminded you of your sister.”

“You didn’t.” He shook his head vehemently.

“But—”

“No more buts, Grey. I’ve been a miserable fuck because even though I feel like shit for leaving my sister behind, I would do it all over again without a second thought.” He turned his focus on the ceiling. “Could I be any more selfish? I should have gone to the authorities. Exposed that fuck face and his followers for what they were. Child rapists. Abusers. Manipulators and thieves.

“You were scared.”

“That’s no excuse.” Blaine sat up against the headboard, our clasped hands falling to his thigh. “Whatever that PI of yours finds, I want it sent on to the authorities. I’ll testify to make sure that place gets shut the fuck down.”

The idea of him facing Quell, even in a court of law, made me itch to knife someone to death. Preferably the man who’d hurt Blaine physically and emotionally.

“I’ll be there beside you through it all,” I promised and found myself with his knuckles pressed to my mouth, hoping to somehow find a way to fill up my reserve of strength to share with him.

His lips parted—and I realized what I’d done.

Clearing my throat, I dropped my hold on him and stood. “You should eat.”

“Yeah.” He placed his other hand atop where I’d kissed. “Yeah. Okay.”

Did he hope to seal the press of my lips into his skin or rub it away?

I turned, not giving him a chance to break my needy heart a little more. “I’ll be downstairs watching TV if you want to join me.”

Letting myself out, I hoped he would take me up on my offer of distraction from his thoughts.

He didn’t, and I was left staring at the screen unseeing, still calling into question what I’d done no matter his words on the situation.

I hauled my grumpy ass out of bed the next morning to find he’d already left for work. At least Meryl took note of my mood and let herself into my office an hour into the workday with a bag of donuts.

Chocolate frosted.

Fuck, did I love that woman.

The sugar made me feel a little better, and after shoving the second into my mouth, I dialed Higgins’s phone number.

“I’m tailing her right now,” he said in response to my request for a Sarah update.

“What? Where?”

“She’s with two other women from the compound. They’re headed into town in one of Quell’s old vehicles he keeps licensed and insured.”

“Think you could get a note to her somehow?” I asked, my mind running like mad.

“I could try.” His tone didn’t sound hopeful. “It depends on their destination, the reason for leaving the compound, and how close I could get to her without notice. What were you thinking?”

“Blaine’s name and number, but if you have a chance to talk to her—”

“Doubtful. The two women with her are the ones who follow her all over the compound. It’s like they’re glued to her side.”

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