Page 82 of These Rough Waters

“What I’m saying, sweet little Maya,” Rett has almost closed the gap between them, and I realize he’s positioning himself between her and the door. I won’t stop her from running, but he will, and the internal conflict inside of me is almost enough to buckle me. Part of me wants to stop her from ever leaving me but trapping her was just wrong. “Is that you have one of the countries finest assassins protecting you. Running seems counterproductive when you have a crazy ex-boyfriend trying to hunt you down.”

She winces at his words but stops her backwards stepping, glancing between the two of us, “What happened to Grace and your son?” She asks suddenly.

“I didn’t kill them,” I say, gritting my teeth knowing that’s where her head went, “But their deaths were my fault.”

Rett tuts loudly, “They drowned, Maya.”

“We were on the water when a storm hit,” I explain, “we shouldn’t have been on the water that day since I knew a storm was coming and we didn’t make it back in time. The boat capsized, I survived, and they didn’t.”

“I don’t understand how that’s your fault,” she says quietly.

“Because I accepted a job after I had already retired. I was selfish and it got them killed.”

“I would hardly say the weather is your fault, Torin,” Maya swallows, “As for accepting… a job, you did what was right at the time.”

I narrow my eyes, “Maya, they died because I accepted a job to kill someone, how are you defending that?”

She scoffs, “I’m hardly defending the whole… killing part but their deaths, realistically, could you have stopped it?”

“Yes, by not being on the water in the first place.”

“But youwereon the water, blaming yourself doesn’t change that fact. How do you know that same storm wouldn’t have killed them on land? Would you have blamed yourself then?”

“This is off topic,” I close the gap between us, waiting for her to flinch or shrink away from me. It was the least I expected with her now knowing who I am, and what I did, “You can stay here, Maya. Until we figure this out.”

Her eyes bounce between mine and the fear still lingers there, her skin still pale but she nods slowly, “Okay.” She breathes.

“I would never hurt you, Maya.”

“I know.”

“Don’t be afraid of me, please.” I practically beg, my stomach a mess of knots.

“I just – it’s a lot to take in, Torin.”

“Why don’t you go lay down?” I say regretfully, hoping I haven’t lost my little doe but feeling like I have. She does as I suggest and begins to make her way out of the room but before she can escape completely, Rett calls her back.

“I need your full name,” He says.

Her head snaps back, “Why?”

“I’m going to find out how your ex has found you, since you’re adamant you’ve disappeared.”

“We don’t know it’s my ex!”

“Maya,” Rett rolls his eyes, “Your name.”

Her green eyes find mine as if she’s asking for my confirmation that it’s safe to give and that sparks that bloom of hope just a little bit. I nod, confirming. My brother was an ass, but he would protect her as much as I would.

“Maya Hargrove.” She tells him quietly, “Will you tell me?”

“What?” He says.

“If you find anything.”

“Yes, we will tell you,” I say.

“Thank you,” She sighs, dipping her chin, “And Tor, I’m not afraid of you, but this situation, with everything, I’m not ashamed to admit I’m scared.”

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