Page 96 of Make Me Trust Again
Across the lake, everybody is sitting on towels, the sound of chatter, laughter, and soft music coming from the speakers reaching us in our little sanctuary away from everybody else.
The kids are in the shallow part of the lake, and Kyle is playing tug-of-war with Shadow. He stumbles slightly backward. From the corner of my eye, I can see Rose tense slightly, but Shadow tugs harder, keeping the boy upright.
“She won’t let anything happen to him.”
“I know.” Her shoulders relax slightly. “She’s very protective of him.”
Just then, Shadow lets go of the ball and pushes Kyle toward the shore with her snout.
“She’s like a mother hen.” Rose chuckles softly, the sound ringing in the night. “I didn’t expect that, I have to admit. She’s so big and intimidating.”
“She is. And lethal. She’s a trained K9, so don’t let her fool you.”
Don’t letmefool you.
Rose’s smile falls slightly at my words. The silent warning in them. A reminder of sorts for her, but also for me.
Of who I am.
What I’ve done.
The darkness that haunts me.
Something dark passes over her face, her gaze growing distant for a moment. “Is it wrong that that gives me a little bit of comfort?”
Her question is spoken so softly, I’d have probably missed it if I wasn’t watching her carefully.
Rose blinks, her eyes coming into focus. They hold me hostage.Sheholds me hostage, and I can’t bring myself to look away.
“I’m not a good man, Rose.”
Our fingers brush, the still-warm wood scratching my palm.
She tilts her head slightly, her hair slipping from her shoulder and leaving her neck exposed. “I beg to differ.”
I mutter a curse, my fingers curling around the wood, a weak attempt to hold myself back when all I want?—
Whooosh—
I suck in a sharp breath, but it’s like there is a knot inside my throat. My heart beats loudly inside my chest, making the ringing echo inside my eardrums. Time seems to slow down, and a cold sweat washes over me.
Boom.
My muscles go rigid as more explosions sound around us, illuminating the dark sky.
Boom, boom, boom.
The air is thick around me, the scorching heat of the desert burning through the thick layers of my uniform. The sand fills my nose and mouth, sticking to my sweaty skin. My whole body hurts as I try to push upright, the sound of gunshots ringing in my ears.
A hand squeezes mine.
“Chase.”
I blink furiously, pushing through the blurriness to find Rose’s wide eyes on me.
Scared.
No, not scared.
