Page 22 of Savior

“I did. I heard about your kidnapping and contacted the only man I thought could help me. After what you’ve endured in your life, after losing Ray, I didn’t want you to go through anymore...” I trail off as I see her assessing my words, her lip lifting in either anger or repulsion.

“I’m tougher than I look,” she says.

I laugh, not meaning to offend her but out of pure amusement. “Sloane, the fact that you’re alive today means you might be the strongest person on the face of the planet.”

Her eyes flick down and away from mine. “Everyone knows my struggles, yet no one ever stepped in.”

Her words stab me right through my heart. “Few possess the strength and selflessness to step in and save someone, Sloane. And nowadays, there’s enough red tape to bury someone just for trying.”

Her honey eyes find mine once more, full of something unspoken. “But you saved me.”

I scoff, standing to escape her gaze before I do something stupid. “I did what I’m called to do. That’s all.”

She says nothing more on the matter. I don’t need her to think she owes me something or get any ideas about me because I saved her.

I was called to serve and doHiswork, and I did what I could.

“I have to stay with you?” Sloane asks, and my unrelenting heart patters away in my chest, nerves churning in my gut.

Everything I’m about to do is against every rule, every vow I swore. This is the part that just anyone wouldn’t have done for Sloane. How far am I about to go to keep her safe?

“You do. Unless you have somewhere you can lie low while this situation with Matteo Barone dies down?” I ask her.

She looks to the floor. I know she doesn’t, but it felt wrong not to give her the option. To let her choose her fate instead of letting someone else choose it for her.

She shakes her head. “My mom’s house isn’t safe.”

Damn right, it isn’t, I think, but keep it to myself.

“Well, then, you’ll stay with me. I’ll keep you safe while Ardesia deals with Matteo. It might take some time. Men like him don’t like to have things taken from them.”

She swallows. “So, I’m going to live in a church now? You’re confident God won’t strike this place down because I’m inside it?”

It’s an attempt at humor, but it makes me sad she feels that way towards herself.

“You’ll stay with me. But, no, God won’t burn this place to ash because you’re in it. If anything, he might shine more light on the place while you’re here.”

Her cheeks fill once more, and I bite my lip. “Why?”

“So that you can heal,” I answer, and silence falls between us at my words.

Her eyes lock on mine, and I feel as if I’m being splayed open on judgment day, my sins laid bare before her.

“Come, I’ll show you your room.” I motion for her to stand, and it’s the first time I realize she’s in a nightgown.

When she moves out of the pew and passes me, I realize there’s blood on the back of the gown. I nearly rip it from her skin and ask her what happened while she was with Matteo, but I know from what Dante relayed to me from Ardesia that she’s only been with Matteo for a few hours, and I can only hope that means that she’s alright.

Because if she’s not, I’ll break every vow I’ve uttered to get her justice.

Heaven be damned.

I showedher to her room and showed her how to work everything in the bathroom. I don’t mean to imply she’s an imbecile, but I’m nervous in her presence.

Having her in the house will be the biggest trial I’ve ever been through.

“If you get me your sizes, I’ll have someone get you clothes and all you need. Just tell me whatever you need, and I’ll see it done. But I’ll grab you some of my sweats to sleep in for now.”

She nods, a grateful look falling over her face.

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