Page 58 of Vengeful Lies

A lot of things he’d done in his life had felt impossible, insurmountable mountains he could never overcome. Losing his wife, being a single dad, missions he’d gone on with his team, watching his daughter get abducted.

In this moment this felt like it topped the list.

All of those things he’d never had a choice in. They’d been things he was forced to face whether he wanted to or not.

Unlike this.

This was a decision he’d made on his own, after weighing the pros and cons and knowing that he had no other options. Well, he did, but they were ones he couldn’t stomach.

So it had to be this.

All he could do was pray that Gabriella wasn't going to hate him and that maybe when they finally had the names of the other men involved in his mother’s rape and subsequent murder, she might be willing to allow him a second chance.

Who was he kidding?

There would be no second chance.

Once he did this it was done. For good. There would be no going back.

“Cade?” Gabriella asked as he slowly lifted his body off hers and pulled out of her.

She looked so sweet all sex rumpled. Her wild red curls framed her face, her cheeks were tinted pink, and her lips had that well-kissed look that begged him to claim them all over again.

But it was the bruises that stole his focus.

A reminder of what she’d sacrificed for him and his daughter. A reminder of what she would sacrifice again if those men got their hands on her. A reminder of why he was doing this.

“Hold on,” he told her, there was no way he could have this conversation with her while she was lying in his bed looking so delicious he wanted to bury his face between her legs all over again and then keep her right where she was and never let her go.

But that wouldn't be fair to her.

This wasn't Gabriella’s fight, and keeping her in the line of fire was selfish. It wasn't what you did for people you cared about.

And he cared about Gabriella Sadler.

More than he’d ever allowed himself to realize.

Going into his bathroom, he took a moment to compose himself, then grabbed a washcloth, ran it under warm water, and returned to the bedroom. Sitting on the side of the bed he carefully wiped her down, doing his best not to let Gabriella’s soft smile influence him.

“I always knew you’d be sweet and tender like this,” she told him as her fingers lifted and began to play with his hair.

Unable to stop a small rumble from vibrating through his chest, he leaned into her touch before he could stop himself.

No.

Don’t change your mind.

You're doing this for her even if she won't understand that.

Be strong.

Capturing her wrist, he gently tugged her hand away from his hair and then stood, needing to put a little distance between them if he was going to do this.

Confusion and hurt warred on Gabriella’s pretty face but he hardened his heart to it. He didn’t want to do this, but it was something he had to do. For her.

Better to just say it and get it over and done with.

“I think you should go,” he told her.

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