Page 98 of Tabitha

My breath catches, and I know there is no way to crack the code in the time remaining. Gage’s eyes meet my own, the desperation in them telling me what I already know.

We’re screwed.

A heartbeat passes before rage takes over.

Fuck that.

Refusing to lose my men without a fight, I twist and scramble across the floor in a frantic crawl toward Banks. Without hesitation, I peel open his eyelid, then bring the device up to his face. I press the screen, holding my breath until I hear the shutter of the camera click and the locked screen opens.

I flip through the device, Gage hovering over my shoulders. With thirty seconds left on the timer, I press the button to disengage the bomb. A ten key pad pops up. Holding my breath, I enter the same code Banks used underground. I watch with bated breath as the timer continues to click down.

Twenty-six.

Twenty-five.

Twenty-four.

It takes another heartbeat for the timer to finally stop.

Nineteen seconds.

I stare at the screen for another five seconds, expecting the numbers to continue dropping. It’s not until Gage grabs the device out of my hands that I’m able to blink my too dry eyes. And it’s not until all four guys are kneeling in front of me that I finally process that we’re safe.

Their handsome faces come into sharp focus, and something inside me cracks. Too many emotions flood my overtaxed brain, and I burst into tears. The guys crowd close, pulling me into their arms, and it takes a full minute of being surrounded by them for me to calm enough that my heart no longer feels like it will explode out of my chest.

I look up, my gaze locking on Pierce’s ice blue eyes, and I fall into their depths, struggling not to drown. Without missing a beat, he leans forward and scoops me up in his arms. I bury my face against his neck, allowing my hair to shield me, trusting that he will take care of me.

Deep voices murmur in the background, the low sounds soothing, then I’m being whisked away. I relax against Pierce, conscious of him carrying me upstairs. When he deposits me on the bathroom counter, I cling to him, not ready to let him go yet.

“Tabitha.” He cups my head, pushing my hair away from my face with the palms of his hands, then forces my chin up. “You’re allowed to be sad that your father died.”

I grab the front of his shirt in my fist, my heart actually aching. “Why should I care? He was a horrible man and an even worse father. He—”

“He ultimately gave his life to save the daughter he loved.” He presses his forehead against mine. “Maybe he was a horrible man, but people can change. Not many. Not without great effort. But your father made the effort. He let you go, allowed you to live, allowed you to grow up. I think he did everything that he could to give you the life you deserved—one without him fucking it up.”

I’m not aware of tears running down my face until he brushes them away.

He kisses my forehead, his scruffy five o’clock shadow brushing against my skin. “He loved you in his own way, probably the only way he could love.”

His words are like a balm against my soul, the deep scar I’ve carried with me all my life finally healing. “I always thought I was unlovable.” I whisper my greatest fear, not brave enough to look at him.

This is why I hate emotions and usually avoid them at all costs. They make me feel foolish and uncertain, and I don’t like either sensation.

I release his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles, comforted by the feel of his warm, hard chest beneath my touch.

“Tabitha…look at me.”

I automatically obey the authority in his voice, one he’s never used on me before.

His expression softens, and against all medical science, my heart skips a beat. “You are so very loveable that I fell the first day I met you.” When I open my mouth to tell him that’s not logical, he continues speaking. “I’ve loved you even when you were trying to kill me.”

Heat warms my cheeks.

I open my mouth to deny it, then quickly snap it close.

I’m not sure if I’m mortified that he knew I tried to kill him or because he knew I failed.

His husky chuckle gives me enough courage to meet his gaze. His smile is so bright the dimple in his cheek makes an appearance, and my daft stomach swoops. He leans so close that nothing else exists in the world but him.

---