Page 20 of Tristano

Big mistake or best decision of my life depending on how you look at it.

No more was she the victim I had stored in my mind. Instead, she was this woman who was gorgeous and who smiled at me like I hung the moon. She hugged me, and I swear my body reacted, wanting to absorb her into my being until we were one.

It was the weirdest feeling in the world. I had never once been so attracted to or fixated on a woman before. Yet there she was.

Then she kissed me, and fuck if I didn’t kiss her back. I gave her everything for a solid minute before I finally pulled back. It took all my self-control not to claim the girl as mine right then and there. I wanted to so bad, but it wasn’t what was best for her.

She was starting her life as a police officer, and I’m the man she’s supposed to hunt. It was never going to be able to work. Still, I gave that to her because selfishly I needed it myself.

Then we agreed to be friends, shattering my heart in the process. It was the right decision though. She’s killing it as an undercover cop. At least she was.

What happened to get her kidnapped?

“It’s six thirty in the morning,” Greer tells me after a moment. “Are you okay?”

I raise a brow. “Came in a little early, huh? I don’t know how Killian would feel about you sneaking out of bed before the sun. Especially to come to see me. We all know he’s jealous of my good looks.”

Greer rolls her eyes as she rubs her stomach. “I know what you are doing, and I’m going to allow it for now, but eventually you will have to tell me about her.” She sighs. “If Killian’s son let me sleep, I would still be in bed. He knows damn well that my eyes are solely on him, so no need for jealousy.” She eyes me cautiously. “Find anything?”

Back to the task at hand.

“Honestly, I’m so tired right now I can’t even remember.” I rub my face, yawning.

“I hate saying this, but Tris, you won’t save her if you aren’t taking care of yourself. You need sleep.” Her nose wrinkles. “And a shower.”

I barely raise my arm and put it down. Already smelling myself. Fuck, that’s disgusting.

Ever since I saw her name on that board, all I have been able to do is work on this. It’s all that matters.

“I can sleep when I’m dead… but a shower would be nice.”

“Why don’t you go down to the bunkroom and take a shower? Maybe catch a real nap and I’ll watch what you have running.”

I pop my knuckles. “Yeah, okay, but you’ll wake me if anything goes off.”

Greer smiles. “Of course. Now go.”

I get up and make my way to the door but pause.

“Hey, Greer,” I say over my shoulder.

“Yeah, Tris?”

“You’re a pretty awesome boss. You know that, right?”

“Thanks. Now let’s hope you still feel that way in a few weeks when we’re trying to get some work done while passing around a baby.”

I chuckle. “Touché.”

ChapterFive

Three days. We have been in Chicago for three days.

I overheard one of the men speaking in English with someone about taking photos of us. Whatever they are planning to do with us, it’s going to happen soon. We need to be thinking of what is going to happen once we get to that point. Many of the girls are so weak, I don’t think there will be much of a fight on our hands.

They moved us again. This time I didn’t drink the water and only pretended to be knocked out. It was hard to resist the urge to gag when the men touched me, but I kept it together. I had no other choice.

When the choice is between dignity and survival, survival wins out every time.

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