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“One and the same. Do you know what would have happened if Stephen had gotten his hands on Sarah and the kids?” His voice lowered.
“No, but he was pissed, so I can guess.”
“Stephen beat the hell out of his wife on a regular basis. She’s been to the ER for broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken arm, and more. But that’s the nice part.” Sebastian dipped his head, his breath grazing my ear. “He turned on the kids, but the little girl got the worst of it. He hurt her. Touched her in a way no man should ever touch a twelve-year-old girl.”
“What?” Bile rose in my throat, at the thought of that sweet girl being abused, never mind by her own goddamn father. “The sick bastard deserves to die,” I spat, meaning every word.
“One of many. This is what I do. My team and I help relocate abused women and children. We give them a safe place to start over, new identities, and set them up to succeed. It’s dangerous and illegal, and I can’t have people blowing our cover.”
The weight of suspicion and doubt slipped away with his confession, and my heart swelled with overwhelming gratitude. A twinge of guilt rode on its heels. I had automatically suspected the worst of Sebastian.
“At dinner, you asked where I stood with someone breaking the law to help others.” I looked into his eyes, losing myself in them for a moment. “You were asking about yourself.”
“Yeah. I can’t get involved with anyone that could jeopardize my work, Ella. Lives are depending on our discretion. If Stephen had caught up with us, he would have either been killed, or he would have taken his family back. Neither scenario was optimal. He’ll figure shit out, but he didn’t see my face. He saw yours.” He cleared his throat. “You might be in danger because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I glanced away, frustrated and pissed. Fucking hell. I might have two psychos after me now. How did I keep putting myself in these situations?
“I’m so sorry, Sebastian. I thought you were a bad guy.”
“And now?” His heated gaze focused on my mouth, and I shifted from one foot to the other, the shitty evening dissipating as he leaned in closer.
“I love that you’re helping women and children. I might think it’s amazing that you’re brave enough to get them to safety while breaking laws.” I chewed on my lower lip and weighed my following words. “Let me help.”
“Hell, no. Don’t even think about it. It’s dangerous. Stephen isn’t the first problem we’ve ever encountered. This is the only time you get to be involved. Stay out of it.”
Irritation bubbled up inside me, and I huffed. “And if I don’t? I tailed you once, I can do it again.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Then you’ll be putting people in jeopardy. Can you live with that?”
Defeat pulsed through my veins. “No,” I whispered.
“Not to mention I’d be worried sick about you all of the time. Don’t be the problem here, love, or we won't see each other again.”
A part of me loved how protective he was of the families he saved, but he had put me in the same box. Sebastian was willing to let me go to protect me.
My chest rose and fell, brushing against his. “I don’t think that will work for me.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
My heart pounded uncontrollably against my ribcage as his body pressed mine against the van. After Death’s viciousness, I craved something softer. My mind skipped a beat and returned to the hot and heavy make-out session Sebastian and I had found ourselves in on our first date. Seconds later, my thoughts caved in on themselves as I struggled to reconcile my need for the darkness as much as the light.
His demanding mouth devoured mine, igniting a fire inside me that begged to burn brighter and hotter. He kept his hands planted firmly on the vehicle, as if steadying himself with them.
I moaned, our tongues tangling in the heated moment. And for just a few seconds, I allowed myself to get lost in Sebastian’s touch and forget all about Death and his cruelty—stupid, stupid me.
Chapter 19
Sebastian
As much as I wanted to stand there and kiss Ella all fucking night, we had to leave.
“We need to go. Get in. I’ll ride in the back.” I climbed in and closed the door as Ella hopped into the front seat.
“Ella, this is Dope. Dope, meet Ella. Be mates. Talk. Get to know each other. Dope, I’ll have her sign an NDA when we’re back at the club, so answer whatever questions she has. Go ahead and tell her. I’m going to get some rest.” I nearly laughed at the expression on Ella’s face. I almost felt bad for her, but not quite. She’d shoved her nose where it didn’t belong, and it landed her in trouble. Although I could easily forgive her for jumping to conclusions, she was smart enough to learn and not pull that shit again.
I pretended to sleep as Ella tried to strike up a conversation with Dope. He answered her questions about our work with short, clipped responses. It would take longer than a few hours stuck in a damn van for him to thaw, but I knew that. Dope was super protective of me and the families we helped.
I leaned up between the seats. “Dope, Ella’s car is still in the alley behind Sarah’s house. I would prefer that she not return there. I’m sure Stephen is on a rampage by now. It would be better if you handled it; me running into him wouldn’t work in anyone’s favor.”
