Page 59 of Rescuing Rebel

I wish I were noble enough to say I want to protect him, but the honest truth is I need him to leave.

The moment I barged into the control room, however, the words died in my throat. All I saw washim. The man I ran away from. When I realized Guardian HRS wasnotthe kind of organization that could help me, I cut ties and ran.

Went back to square one.

How can I explain my presence at Haven? How do I explain what was happening in that room? How do I explain to a man like Ethan, a pure, noble soul, that I’m a monster?

Yes, those young women will be auctioned off. I can’t save them from that fate, but I can make their misery a little less horrifying. Not to mention, getting in on Kaufman’s good graces might lead me to answers myself.

My feet move quickly, placing as much distance between me and Ethan as possible. A finger confirms the thrumming pulse in my neck. A hand over my belly calms the fluttering nerves there.

But none of it helps.

Ethan’s searing kiss shocked me.

I press trembling fingers to my lips, cursing this desire awakened by his presence.

It was a bad idea to confront him. I walk faster, heels clicking loudly on the concrete floor. After all this time, I thought I was immune to his pull, but the heat of his mouth on mine rekindled a fire I believed I extinguished.

I take a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow down.

But it’s no use.

Ethan’s kiss lingers on my lips, echoing a promise... Or maybe it’s a threat?

Desperately, I push away thoughts of him and refocus on why I’m here.

With my pulse racing, I pause and lean my arm and forehead against the cold concrete wall. Its chill leaches the heat from my body, letting doubt and self-loathing boil to the surface.

I’ve sacrificed too much to fail.

But what do I do?

If I reveal Ethan’s identity, it will result in not only my death but his and those of his teammates. Kaufman is a ruthless man with no pity, no remorse, and no morals.

If Ethan discovers why I’m here, he’ll try to stop me. Or worse, he’ll try to help me. He’s too honorable and protective to let me do this alone.

Dammit, he’s going to ruin everything—again.

With an agonized groan, I push off from the wall and force myself down the hall.

“Rebel,” Kaufman calls out to me. His oily voice lifts the hairs on the back of my neck. The man’s a snake charmer, smooth as silk but rotten to the core. “I heard there was an— altercation?”

He approaches as if he cares what happens to me. Immediately, I school my features and smile pleasantly. My stomach clenches as Kaufman’s gaze rakes down my body. He wants me but has yet to force the issue. It’s coming, but he enjoys the chase. Loves the kill.

For now, I’m safe, but I’m no different than those women back in that room. Like them, I’ve chosen one hell over another.

“It’s nothing to worry about.” Tension spikes in the air between us, and for a moment, I fear he can see right through me. When his expression hardens, my muscles tense.

His eyes narrow as he studies me. I hate when he does that. It’s as if he’s trying to climb inside my head and figure out whether or not I’m lying to him. He steps back, and it feels like he sucks all of my breath out of my lungs.

“If he laid hands on you, that won’t be tolerated.”

It takes everything within me to maintain my smile and gaze up at him with adoration and worse—gratitude.

I hate Kaufman. Despise him with the entirety of my being.

But I smile graciously and dip my head in deference to him.

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