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I hate myself for the war waging inside me. The battle between sanity and stupidity. A ragged breath escapes my lips and he leans closer, our mouths almost touching.
“I’ll protect you. I can promise that.”
I crave the truth of those words, even when he’s played me so many times already. I can’t help bridging the space between us to sweep my mouth over his in a gentle glide.
He relaxes, all those muscles losing their tension. I don’t want to enjoy this, but I do. The bliss sinks under my skin, flutters my heart, and warms my limbs.
I want more. I want everything.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I break the co
“If I tell you, will you really protect me?” I ask.
“With my life.”
I smile through my heartache and raise my hand to his hair. I guide the strands away from his eyes, brush my fingertips along the rough stubble of his jaw, then launch the heel of my palm into his Adam’s apple.
He buckles, hunching over in an instant.
I give him a shove to escape the confinement of his body. He coughs, splutters, and swings out an arm, trying to catch me. I slap away his touch and run for the gun, leaning over to scoop it up before twirling back in his direction.
“Move away from the car,” I yell.
He clears his throat, chokes, swallows. “Don’t do this.” His voice is raspy as he shakes his head.
“I’ll shoot you if I have to.” I flick off the safety and jerk the barrel in an instruction for him to move. “And this time I’ll aim higher.”
He backs away, the hand at his side balling into a fist as the other holds his throat. He continues to cough, to splutter. “They’ll kill you.”
“They’ll have to find me first.”
I’m good at hiding. I can do it a little longer. Then once I finish the unresolved business with Jacob, I’ll run, because I’m good at that, too.
I open the driver’s side door and slide inside, keeping my gaze on him the entire time.
“Don’t be stupid.” He hunches, hands on knees, looking over at me from beneath his lashes. “There’s an easier way out of this.”
“I appreciate the concern.” I close the door, start the ignition, and shove the car into drive. “But I can look after myself.”