Page 86 of Betrayed

Chapter 42

Blake

What did I just do?The people after me took Meg, and I'd just volunteered to trade myself for her.Because she’s pregnant and it’s the right thing to do. And no matter how scared, terrified, I felt, I couldn’t live with myself if I did nothing, and they hurt her.

I barely registered AJ following me down the hall and into my room.

Within seconds of my door closing, he pulled me into his arms and crushed me against his chest. My fingers barely touchedwhen I wrapped my arms around him, savoring the emotion swirling between us until I had to come up for air.

I pulled back and made eye contact. The intensity almost knocked me off my feet. His love taking up space like a physical presence between us.

I stared back, wishing I could show him how I felt as effectively as he was showing me.

“I lo-”

“Don’t. Please,” he begged, his voice rough as he put a finger over my lips.

My nod was barely perceptible as I kissed his finger.

His eyes darted to my lips. Half a second later, every thought drained from my brain as his lips crashed into mine.

Our first kiss wasn’t gentle. No, this was AJ releasing his fear, giving me his heart, and staking his claim. He banded one arm around my back, while his other hand fisted in my hair.

I gripped fistfuls of his shirt, deepening the kiss, begging for more. I poured every ounce of my love into the kiss, telling him what he needed to hear, but wouldn’t let me say.

Time stood still.

My knees were weak by the time he ended the kiss.Holy shit.I’d never been kissed like that before. Hell, I didn’t even know it was possible.

“Thank you,” I stuttered as my legs struggled to hold me upright.

“Did you just thank me for kissing you?” he asked, chuckling as he slowly released me.

“No, I um, it was...”so fucking amazing that I can’t find the words.

He looked at my lips and took mercy on me, saving me from further embarrassment. “Thank you for being so brave and putting yourself in danger to help Meg.”

“How could I not? I can’t let them hurt her.” I turned and started packing so he wouldn’t see the fear I’d momentarily forgotten about clawing its way back to the surface. “And I’m not brave.”

“Yes, you are. Not many people would volunteer the way you just did.”

I turned so he could see my fear, thinking it’d convince him I wasn’t. “I’m terrified.”

His soft smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Mark Messier said, ‘Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the action in the face of fear.’ You, Sweetheart, are brave as fuck.”

Sadly, his confidence didn’t help me control the fear and anxiety building in my gut. I didn't know what they'd do to me while waiting for me to turn twenty-five so I could pay my father's debts.And where's my dad?I hoped they hadn't hurt him, and would leave us alone once they had their money.

“We should hurry.” I turned back and shoved what little I had into Emily’s suitcase.

Chapter 43

AJ

It only took me a minute to toss my stuff into my duffle. Not worried about appearances, I tossed my vest on over my t-shirt and joined Jack and Jay.

The living room was a buzz of activity as we prepared to transport Blake.So much can go wrong. My heart drummed in my ears as I unpacked the vest Blake would use.

Pain flashed in his eyes before he turned back to his rifle.

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