Page 123 of Betrayed

I wanted her more than I wanted my next breath, but how could I be with her? The rage I’d felt tearing through that house was something she should never have to witness. But she had. She had to watch me shoot someone without hesitation. Without remorse.

I’d kill a thousand men to protect her—but who’ll protect her from me?

“Andrew?”

“Blake, you have no idea how much I love you.” I looked at the ceiling while gathering my strength, hating the part of me that made my next words necessary. “But I’m not right for you. I want you more than life itself, but I can’t risk being the one who hurts you.”

“You think you’re like your father?” Doubt filled her voice.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Are you a drunk?” she asked.

“No.”

“Have you ever hit a woman?” Her voice was stronger.

“No.”

“A child?”

My eyes rounded. “No, never.”

“Then you’re not like him,” she stated, sounding like she was making a closing argument in front of a jury.

“How can you be so sure?” I wanted to believe her, but she couldn’t see the anger that often burned just below the surface.

“I trust you.” Those three words were the most precious gift she could give me, but I didn’t deserve them.

I forced the next words around the lump in my throat. “But you shouldn’t.”

I could tell from the look in her eyes, she wasn’t convinced.

She crawled out of bed, stood up, and crossed her arms. “Damn it, Andrew, you don’t get to decide for me.”

I sat up and faced her, planting my bare feet on the floor.

“You watched me kill a man.” There was no way she could dismiss what she’d seen.

I saw determination flash in her eyes before she let loose. “Do you go around shooting random people? Do you yell at old ladies who drive too slow? Do you steal candy from babies?” She yelled the questions as she paced in front of me.

“What? No. I…”

“No,” she said softly, putting her hands on my knees and leaning in close. “You did what you had to do to save me.”

It was true; everything I did was to save her.

“AJ, you’ve been violent when you needed to be, but you aren’t a violent man. You’ve been nothing but kind and gentle with me.” She laughed. “You drew me a bubble bath and apologized for having to use shampoo. Would your father have ever done something like that?”

I cupped her face. ‘I love you so much it hurts.”

“I love you, too,” she said, her eyes never leaving mine. “Now, will you please shut up and kiss me?”

I answered by pressing my lips to hers.

The kiss started soft; but when she sighed and parted her lips, I claimed her mouth.

Something in Blake broke free. Her kisses turning desperate, needy, demanding as she straddled my lap.

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