Page 94 of Selling Innocence

I just wish I could have had a little more time.

I scolded myself at the thought. I’d gone through this after losing my mother and sister. There was never enough time with those we care about. It didn’t matter how much more we got, it was never enough. If I had another night or another week with them, I’d still want more.

Just be happy you had it at all.

I could have ended up in this same place without having met Tor, Char, Vance and Hayden, without having felt the fluttering in my stomach when one smiled, the reassuring warmth as I leaned against them, the way I laughed when they said something unexpected.

I treasured those memories, held them close, and they’d have to keep because it was all I’d had.

I sighed and walked faster. With the sun having risen, I’d guess the men would find me missing soon. They’d let me sleep in, probably feeling bad that I’d had a rough night. They’d only intrude to make sure I ate something, and when they did?

They were smart enough to guess my plan. I needed to get to the hotel before that happened, before they could find me.

I passed by another alleyway, my thoughts swirling in my head so fast, I failed to check it this time.

Someone grabbed my arm and yanked me into the alleyway, then covered my mouth with their hand.

Will my luck ever turn around?

Chapter Nineteen

Kenz

I was so close to doing the right thing, and somehow, life kept screwing it up. The person who grabbed me might work for Lorien, or maybe they weren’t connected at all.

Maybe they were just a creep grabbing me off the street? Wouldn’t that be a hilarious change of events?

I reacted the way I should, though, since I had no idea who held me. I swung my elbow back, aiming for their side to knock the breath from them.

They shifted, narrowly avoiding the strike, and when I took advantage by balling my fist and swinging back on the other side—now exposed—aiming for their groin, they caught that hand as though they expected it.

“Who do you think taught your sister to always go for the family jewels?” Jarrod’s voice in my ear forced the strength from my legs, and I sagged forward.

How long had it been since I’d heard a truly friendly voice? Since I’d heard someone from my family?

Jarrod released my mouth but didn’t take away the arm wrapped around me, using it to keep me upright. He didn’t laugh at me, didn’t mock me for the reaction.

But damn had I missed this feeling of safety. I didn’t spend as much time with Jarrod as I would have liked, didn’t have as close a relationship as would have been nice, but he’d somehow ended up in that father spot for me despite us sharing no blood.

Sometimes I wondered if it wasn’t because I looked just like my mother, because he saw her in me?

Whatever the reason, he’d saved me many times when he’d had no reason to.

After a moment to gather myself, I forced my legs to work on their own and pulled away from Jarrod, turning to look up and into his face.

Damn, I’d missed him. I missed his sighs, the way he fought against smiling because he worried that it would convince me to do whatever he didn’t approve of more.

I even missed the way he’d rented romantic movies and watched them while I’d recovered, even if the main reason was just so I’d be quiet and stop trying to draw him into conversation.

“You are wilier than a stray cat,” he said before he caught my chin and tilted my head, staring down like he was checking for injuries.

I waved his hand off as I stepped backward. “What does that make you? Animal control?”

He let out a soft huff that only those who knew him well would call a laugh. “Do you have any idea how worried your sister’s been?”

“She’s always worried.”

“Yeah, but most people pace and eat too much junk food when they’re worried. Nem shoots people.”

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