Page 69 of Liar Byrd
I get to my feet. “There are worse places.”
And there are worse things a person can do to you than kill you. Things that would make anyone wish they could die a thousand times over instead.
“Jessica.” His fingers circle my wrist when I move to leave. He avoids the bruises Kit left on my skin, and all I would need to do is lift my arm an inch and his grip would fall away—that’s how loose it is.
His eyes, for all they are fierce, are haunted.
What drove him out of bed? Why is he sitting with a bottle of whiskey, the lid still on? What nightmares is he trying to escape?
My lips part, and before one word slips out, I ask myself what I’m doing, already knowing it’s not safe. Conscious that it could cost me everything if I’m not careful.
“That isn’t my name,” I whisper the words I shouldn’t say. But he killed a man for me. Took one devil to hell so he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
The least he deserves is my real name for doing something no one else has.
Protect me.
He said he would. I didn’t believe him. So he showed me.
He’s quiet as he gets to his feet, and his size doesn’t terrify me as it once did.
His eyes soften. “You never felt like a Jessica to me. You stole the ID?”
He knew I was lying, and he didn’t say anything. My shoulders slump in relief, and I nod. “I regretted taking it, but I was desperate, and I will return it one day. Byrdie. That’s my name.”
He opens his mouth, but I’m already shaking my head. “You can’t tell anyone. I… I shouldn’t have even told you.” I turn to leave. If Nash knew, he would fire me. If Makhi knew… I don’t know what he would do, but the fewer people who know my real name and what I’m running from, the safer they—and I—will be.
Vonn urges me back with his loose grip on my wrist. He leans down, and I hold my breath as he whispers into my ear, “Your secret is safe with me… Byrdie.”
He angles his head slightly, and his eyes find mine.
I hold my breath in the quiet dark. His chest is rising faster than it was a second before. His grip on my wrist is still loose. Still completely breakable, but I’m not sure I want to break it.
This is the second time a man has looked at me like he wanted to kiss me today. I wanted to kiss Makhi, but I can’t because I’m too broken for him. I want to kiss Vonn, but the feelings I’m developing for him are already too deep. Any deeper and I won’t leave, and Massey is far too close to New Mexico for me to stay here for long.
My stomach drops when his eyes flick to my mouth.
“Has a man ever kissed you, darlin’?” His voice is low.Husky.
I lick my lips, wondering what he tastes like. His gaze turns hungry as he softly groans in response.
I shake my head. “Not one that I ever wanted.”
His eyebrow rises, surprised. “Not one?”
I look away and my cheeks burn as I whisper, “There was a boy in third grade, but he shoved me into the sandbox right after and kissed another girl. In my mind, that doesn’t really count.”
His bark of laughter draws a smile out of me. This one is a little less rusty than all the ones that came before. How does he keep making me smile?
His fingers slide down my wrist, and he takes a step back, sinking into his seat with his thighs spread. “Then come here, darlin’.” He pauses, eyeing me for a beat. “That’s if you want to be kissed by a man who wants you something fierce.”
I don’t know what to say. But I know what I feel. Surprised. Glad someone would want me. And afraid. Scratch that. I’mterrifiedthat Jeremiah has broken not just the big things inside me, but small things as well. Maybe forever.
“You’re afraid.”
He starts to let me go at the same time I walk toward him.
I need to know that I can still feel something other than terror or rage.
