Page 190 of Anger

“What’s wrong? Your mom seemed—“

“Crazy?”

Craning my neck, I peer up into a set of amber eyes that are flecked with green. They’re like that when Damon’s calm. Absolutely gorgeous. Not as dark as when his anger grabs hold of him.

“She’s not crazy, Ames. I don’t understand why you’re so damn scared.”

I try to duck away from him, but he cages me against the door, preventing my escape.

“We’re having this conversation,” he says. “What clothes do I have to lose to get you to answer my questions?”

Oh, for fuck’s sake, I’m seriously beginning to hate this game.

“I’m not playing with you, Damon.”

Tears are welling at my eyes, and I don’t have time to blink them away. Damon is too fast; his fingers capture my chin and force my face to his. His eyes search mine, and I hold my breath as if that will keep all the emotions at bay.

He sees through me regardless. And with a thumb, he wipes away a tear that slipped down my cheek.

Why am I so scared? I don’t fucking know. I’ve never known. I just keep wanting to run in another direction. To keep from witnessing my Mom. To hide…

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

There’s no give in the way Damon stares at me. It’s the same damn look I know I’ve given him. Except for instead of having a white line to follow that runs along my skin, he’s reaching deeper inside to find the scars I keep buried.

“I don’t know,” I answer, the words pleading. “I just want to leave. We can get the information about the drive over the phone. We can—“

He places his thumb against my lips and holds my stare with his.

“Blue, stop. Calm down. I’m right here with you. Trust me … please.”

Trust.

There’s that damn word again.

The one thing we need from each other but find so hard to give.

Damon leans in and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. It’s a lover’s touch. Not physical or sexual or demanding. Just something intended to help drive away the fear and chaos that’s crashing inside me.

Damon’s comforting me.

And I’m not sure I’ve felt this in life.

“She gave you a hug,” I say, unable to figure out any other words. My voice is breaking apart as more emotions assault me, the tears now falling because I’m not strong enough to hold them back in this place.

He nods, his forehead against the side of mine. “She did.”

My legs are getting weak as the truth sinks in a little deeper. “She’s never hugged me like that before.”

I’m sobbing, my hands gripping into his shirt to hold myself in place.

“She’s never…”

The words can’t escape the lump in my throat, all except for one keening question.

“Why?”

Damon curses under his breath then lifts me up to carry me to Kane’s bed. After setting me down, he lays next to me and shelters me in a sense.

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