Страница 99 из 349
“Keira, if there was something to worry about, I’d tell you.” He leans forward, arms spread along the counter, gaze intent. “Go. Get some rest. We can figure out our next move in the morning.”
I nod.
Despite Cole’s warning, I do agree Decker is no threat to me personally. I can’t picture this man hurting me. I can’t see it at all. And I’m more than aware betrayal can come from a friendly face. “Good night, Decker.”
“Night, kitten.”
I drag my feet down the hall, while my thoughts stay with him in the kitchen. I don’t want to be alone, and it’s not because of his flirtation and dripping i
I reluctantly close myself into the master bedroom and stare at the door handle for long heartbeats. I should lock it, even though I’m not scared of the gorgeous thug protecting me. It’s the smart thing to do if I plan on getting even a lick of sleep…which isn’t highly likely anyway.
I gently flick the lock, hoping the sound doesn’t resonate down the hall, then do a visual sweep of every inch of the room before turning off the light and climbing into bed. I lie on my side, his shirt bunched at my shoulders, my nose nestled against the material.
His scent fills my lungs, and I struggle to recount a moment with him that could’ve held questionable intent.
He’s proven himself to me tonight. He showed his loyalty by shielding my body with his own, and in every other action afterward.
But then again, he had proven himself to me all those months ago when he confronted Cole. My brother’s hand had been wrapped around my neck, the squeeze light despite the rage in his eyes.
With one sentence, Decker stood up for me. He showed sincerity and promise.
Cole would’ve seen it as defiance. Not me, though. I appreciated the honor. The morals.
The outburst doesn’t mean he’s worthy of trust. But leniency? Yes.
He deserves to be given a chance.
I try to build on my convincing argument, tossing and turning for hours as I analyze every moment I’ve spent with Decker—the playfulness, the protection, the lingering lust he keeps tightly leashed.
And he told me the truth about Layla’s injuries. That, by far, is the attribute I cling to for dear life.
But it could be a game. I know better than anyone that deception comes from those you least expect. I seriously can’t let down my guard. No matter how much I want to.
Each minute that ticks by brings more madness to my exhaustion. I start to lose grip on my thoughts, and waking nightmares hover close.
The flashback of shattering glass enters my mind. The rapid gunfire. The screams. The panic.
I try to douse the flames with the memory of Decker’s hard body atop mine. The frantic way he pulled over on the highway. The gentle hands that dried me after the shower.
Don’t be naive, sis. You know he can’t be trusted. My brother’s words haunt me.
As if I didn’t have enough to worry about without adding mixed feelings about Decker to the list.
I throw back the covers and slide from bed.
I stalk from the room, my feet slapping against the hall tiles as my pulse pounds in my throat. The house is bathed in shadow, the glow from the muted television the only illumination as I enter the living room.
I stop at the foot of the sofa, staring down at his sprawled body, his chest bare, his arm slung over his face, covering his eyes. He’s peaceful, and trustworthy or not, he’s truly magnificent to look at. For long minutes I peer down at him, stalker like and entirely unapologetic.
The woman tattooed on his bicep stares up at me, her beauty ethereal and haunting as a tear streaks down her cheek.
“Can I help you?” he mumbles.
My heart shoots to my throat at the sudden break in silence. “Christ. I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“I figured.” His arm falls to his side as he blinks up at me. “What’s wrong?”
I try to come up with the perfect response. One that seems entirely out of my comprehension the longer those midnight eyes take me in. “My brother doesn’t trust you.”
“You got out of bed to tell me that?” He frowns and sits up, leaning back against the armrest. “It’s not really a secret, sunshine.”
“You already know?”
“Of course I do.” He pauses to ponder me for a moment, his brows knit tight. “Did he tell you that, or did you work it out on your own?”
“Does it matter?”
Slowly, he stands and moves toward me, his height becoming so much larger than it ever has been before. All that bare skin. All that hard muscle. All that delicious ink.
“Yeah, it does. I don’t think it’s a smart move to tell a woman her safety has been placed in the hands of someone she can’t trust.”
I swallow over the dryness in my throat, not wanting to admit how right he is.
“But he did tell you.” His eyes narrow. “Is that why you were upset after you got off the phone?”
I lick my lips, struggling to combat the sudden detox of moisture. My throat is dry, my tongue and mouth, too.
“You have nothing to worry about, Keira. Despite your brother’s opinion, I would never hurt you.”
A bark of derision leaves my mouth. It’s forced. Another act. I need to pretend I’m highly cautious even though my intuition wants to wave green flags like it’s Saint Paddy’s day.
I do believe he would never hurt me.
I do trust he has my best interest at heart. How can I not after he shielded me against bullets with his own damn body?
“If you’re scared of me, I can take you to someone else.” His expression is pained as he speaks. “I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.” He bends down and retrieves his jacket from the floor. “Just tell me where we’re headed.”
He’s truly ready to leave.
“I don’t need to go anywhere,” I admit.
He eyes me with trepidation. “Are you sure?”
I swallow, lick my lower lip, and fight to keep in control. “Why doesn’t he trust you?”
“Because my loyalty has always been to Hunter first and foremost. It always will be. Cole doesn’t appreciate the defiance.”
No, my brother wouldn’t. He expects fealty, a blood oath, and your firstborn… Or something along those lines.
“Is that all?” I can’t tear my gaze away, too eager to decipher every change in him. “There has to be more to it than that.”
“I’m sure there’s a million reasons.” He shrugs. “But while he’s paying me, I don’t give a fuck about a single one.”
His sterility isn’t appreciated. I guess I’m like Cole in that regard. I want loyalty. Devotion. I need more than callous disregard when it comes to my family. “I understand.”
“I’m not after your understanding, Keira. I want your trust. After everything we’ve been through tonight, don’t I deserve that?”
“Trust is difficult.”
He gives a half-hearted smile. “I guess it takes more than putting my life on the line to make you happy.” He throws my callousness at me with such softly spoken words.
I don’t like the accusation. I don’t appreciate how empty it makes me feel.
“You don’t understand,” I whisper.
“Try me.”
I measure my breathing, not succumbing to the need to suck in deep lungfuls of air. “Trust brings vulnerability. And I’m not allowed to be vulnerable.”
“You’re allowed to be whatever the hell you want. You’re your own person. Don’t ever forget that.”
“No. I’m not. I can’t be vulnerable or weak or scared.”
He scoffs. “You are scared.”
“No—”