Chapter 17 #3
And in this moment, as my heart beats faster, I don’t care that his eyes gradually roam my body. I don’t care that they narrow as they take in the swell of my breasts, the curve of my hips. I don’t feel dirty when he looks at me.
For once, I feel beautiful.
He takes me out the door, carrying me toward the dresser and removing one of his shirts.
Not one of mine. I don’t know if I’m reading too much into it, but the fact that he wants me in his clothes makes me feel a little bit better.
He places me on my feet, and I lift my arms for him to slip that shirt onto my body.
When I glance down, I can see the thick outline of his cock, and my toes curl.
His chest broadens with a harsh breath, and I wrench my gaze away, my cheeks burning at being caught staring.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get to bed.”
There’s that word again, causing my stomach to flip-flop like mad. What is he doing to me?
He takes my small hand in his large one, and I go willingly, following him toward the bed. He cups a palm around my face, staring into my eyes so deeply, I feel the pull of his emotions straining out of him and straight into my heart.
“What did those bastards do to you?” he whispers, his thumb stroking my lips in the most tender way.
“Everything,” my tearful voice says.
“Elsie….” He sucks in a breath. “I wish…”
“You can’t go back and save me.” I place a hand over his, the one still holding my cheek. “But you can save the ones still suffering. Please, Michael.”
His long lashes drift down as his eyes shutter for a brief moment. “You don’t think I’ve wanted to help, Elsie? Do you think of me that way?”
My brows bend. “I don’t know what to think. But I do know you haven’t helped Kayla.”
His jaw flexes. “We signed a treaty with them. That’s the only reason why. We stay out of their activities, and they stay out of ours.”
Raw emotions ache in his gaze. This is hard for him. I can see that now.
“We live in peace that way, and if it wasn’t for Sophia, I’d have torn up the fucking agreement my father made with them, and I’d have killed them all.
For you.” There’s conviction in the darkened pools of his gaze.
“That treaty is the only thing keeping Sophia safe. They would kill her to get to me.”
My eyes enlarge. I hadn’t even thought of that.
“Oh, God. I…I’m sorry. I didn’t realize… But I guess it shouldn’t come as a shock to me considering what they do to children.” Tears fill the rims of my eyes. “I get it now. I’m sorry I said those things to you. That you’re a coward.”
But now, I realize one thing for sure: to save Kayla, I’ll have to do things on my own. Somehow. Even if it means angering my husband.
“It’s okay.” The corners of his lips jerk. “You weren’t wrong about some of it. I’m not a good man. But we don’t deal in people. Never have.”
He pauses, his mouth opening, but it shuts just as quickly, his lips tightening in a slight grimace.
“What is it?” I ask, knowing there’s something he’s not saying.
His head shakes softly, as though telling me whatever it is will be painful somehow. My pulse slams in my neck with growing anticipation.
“I have to tell you something. I don’t think it’s right to keep it from you.”
A shiver runs up my arms. “Just tell me.”
He drops a single hand away, clasping it tight around my hip. “I sent one of my men to the house.”
I pitch my head back, confusion settling over me. “Where Kayla is?”
He nods. “Where Kayla was.”
Nausea hits my gut with a vengeance.
“She…she’s dead?” I stammer.
Oh my God. I can’t breathe.
“No, baby. No.” He clutches the back of my head. “Shit, I’m so sorry I made you think that.” He kisses me on the forehead again. “They moved the girls. The place was wiped clean. They did it as soon as you left.”
“Oh, God…”
A ball of dread hits the back of my throat. How will I help her now?
“Are you sure she’s still alive?”
“Yeah.” His eyes are wrought with certainty. “I called Agnelo, hoping to come to some kind of agreement and get Kayla back for you, but—”
I let out a small gasp. “You did that? For me?”
My eyes gather with heavy tears. He risked his family’s safety for me. I’ve never had that. No one has cared about me since my parents. My friends.
I don’t even know what to do with that. It feels foreign. Like it’s not happening to me.
“You deserve to know your friend is safe. I know how it feels to want to protect the ones you love. I don’t fault you for it, Elsie.” His shoulders drop just slightly. “But I failed you. I’m sorry for that.”
“But you tried.” I cup the stubbled cheek of a man who’s given me more than he realizes. “That means something to me.”
“Not enough.”
And the way he says that, the way he looks at me while doing it…
“But I’ll keep trying, little dove. I’ll get my men on it. We will find her.”
If he really means to help us, it’s better than me foolishly thinking I could do this on my own. He has more power, more people, than I could dream of.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Instinctively, my arms jump around his neck, and I hold onto him while he holds onto me.
“You should rest,” he breathes against my ear.
But instead, he holds me closer, like he doesn’t want to let go.
I don’t want him to let me go either.