Page 9 of Keeping Ava

“Thank you.” Ava pushes a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “I was going to ask you about the security of the building?”

Good girl. “No one gets in or out without a key, and the staff knows to I.D. those without one. Of course, visitors come and go, but they are vetted and approved by the other residents here to the onsite security.”

“So, no strays?”

“No.” Extending my arm toward her line of sight, I lift my wrist so she can see the app at the center of my smart watch. “That alerts me to anyone at the door, and on my phone there’s a live feed of the same. So even if I’m not here, I’ll be able to see and come right up.”

“That’s a confusing statement.”

“I use the gym downstairs and at times, the conference room.” Tapping the app on the screen, I show her the camera view. “I’ll keep you safe. Promise.”

“To serve and protect…right?” The way she words it causes me to lower my arm and fully turn toward her. Placing my hip against the balcony’s veranda, I study the furrow right between her eyes and how her shoulders hunch a bit.

“Does that bother you? My oath?”

“It’s the same one officer after officer fed me back in Lubbock, Elijah. Each time I gave my accounts of the night, picked him out of a line-up, I was made that promise and they all fell short.”

“I’m not them.”

“You’re human.”

“And so is he.”

At that she turns too, facing me with an apologetic expression, silently asking that I don’t take what she’s saying personal. “He is.”

“You doubt me?” Because that wouldn’t work. I’ll do whatever it takes to help her find peace again.

“No.” Ava bites her bottom lip and looks away. I hate it. Need those eyes back on mine. “And that scares me.”

Without conscious thought, I bring a hand up and cup her chin, tilting her face back up to mine. Blue eyes meet hazel, and there’s a hint of something dangerous in her stare.

For me.

For her.

That yearning reflecting back at me will be my downfall.

“Explain, sweetheart.” I ask, my tone low as my thumb rubs across her soft cheek. There’s a hint of pink that spreads beneath my skin. It’s warm and tempting. So pretty. “Why does it scare you?”

“For some inexplicable reason, Detective…I believe in your words.” Ava nuzzles my palm once, then takes it within both of hers. Soft skin cocoons mine, and yet, I feel as if I’m being burned. Just this simple touch sets me ablaze, and it takes a herculean effort to stay as I am. To not kiss her. To not feel her. She needs your protection and nothing else. “…I feel safe inside your home, and that can end badly for me.”

Those words don’t make a lick of sense to me, and I know my expression mirrors the thought. “How so?”

“Because complacency can get me killed.” Ava lets go of my hand and steps back, an invisible wall replacing her warmth. Those baby blues are sad as they watch me. “I’m afraid, Elijah…I’ve seen what he’s capable of.”

“I’d kill him before—”

“He’s coming for me.”

Before I can respond, a knock comes from the front door, and we step further apart as it opens. Wes looks straight at me once through the threshold, his expression serious. Downright pissed the fuck off.

Three quick vibrations in my pocket alert me to a missed message, and I know they are from him.

“Give me a minute,” I say, already walking back inside. Something went wrong, and leaving her alone on the balcony for the time being is for the best. Whatever it is, I don’t want her to hear it just yet.

I’ll break it to her.

Later. Much later, once we’re alone.

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