“It was necessary.” She hesitated. “I won’t always be around forever to protect you, my angel.” She patted Alexandra’s leg. “Now, let’s talk about Crockett, shallwe?”
Alexandra drove home ina stupor.Though grateful for the truth, the conversation with her mom had wreckedher.
It was after ten. She’d stayed later than expected and hoped to find Crockett sprawled on his living room sofa. The roaring gas flames greeted her with silent waves along with a note on his dining room table. “Wakeme.”
She glanced down the hallway and into his dark bedroom. Was his open door an invitation for her to go in?Let him sleep.She turned away. The disappointment of not seeing him, of not being near him, of not touching him left her feeling empty andalone.
After storing the leftovers in the refrigerator, she poured herself a glass of wine and sat at the dining room table, admiring the panoramic view. How much did Crockett know about Wilson? Was he privy to the Mitus secrets? The resentment she’d harbored against her mom and Colton disappeared. Not only had they each endured a world of pain at the hand of her father, they’d sheltered her from the abominable horrors. For as long as she could remember, she envisioned a day when she’d be reunited with her dad. That dream fizzled, but the loss remained. She’d idolized a man who had abused the two people she mostadored.
Maybe the alcohol contributed to the building emotion, but when she downed the last sip, the rush of grief and anger came thundering out in a tornado ofheartache.
* * *
Crockett woke with astart.Pushing past his tired muscles and aching bones, he got out of bed. Wearing only the cotton pajama bottoms he’d fallen asleep in, he found Alexandra curled on his sofa, her head bowed in her hands, sobbing. Though her cries were muffled, he’d heard her in hisdreams.
She’s upset aboutKimberly.
Sitting beside her, he put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. Rather than ask her if she was okay—which she wasn’t—or ask what was wrong, he just stroked her back until her weeping subsided. When she lifted her tearstained face to his, he kissed her. One tender kiss because he could not resist. Even sad, her beauty astoundedhim.
After grabbing a handful of tissues, he waited while she dried her eyes. Somehow, Alex made nose blowing cute. Her teeth chattered, so he covered her with ablanket.
“For the first time in my life, my mom talked to me like an adult,” she said. “Now I understand why she and Colton shelteredme.”
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Did you get the answers you needed?” His side ached where he’d been kicked, so he shifted, trying to getcomfortable.
Awareness flashed in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m so selfish. Did you soak in the bath? Have youeaten?”
“No andbreakfast.”
“That’s not enough food. We packed up most of dinner for you.” She threw off the blanket and beelined toward the kitchen. Five minutes later, he was enjoying salmon almondine, mixed vegetables and wild grainrice.
“You want to talk about your conversation with Kimberly?” heasked.
In a quiet voice, Alexandra relayed everything she’d learned about therealWilson Mitus. His heart broke for a family he loved as much as his own. But he also admired Colton and Kimberly for their inner strength and sheerdetermination.
When she finished, Crockett’s guts had knotted. He’d also been keeping information from her, for what he believed was her own good. He opened his mouth to confess, but she held up her hand. “You have been there for me and now it’s my turn. Let’s go soak your soremuscles.”
He joined her in the bathroom. With the Jacuzzi filling fast, she poured in Epsom salts. Her gaze traveled over every inch of him, but when her eyes met his, he hoped his grateful smile conveyed what he couldn’t say. Because the next thing out of his mouth would be thetruth.
“I’d say you fared pretty well,” she said after examining him thoroughly. She ran the pads of her fingers over the bruise on his side. “That’s gottahurt.”
“I’ve hadworse.”
After the crystals dissolved, he removed his pants and climbed in. While the jet blasts beat against his aching muscles, she massaged his shoulders. He should be comforting her, but instead, he leaned against the porcelain and accepted her lovingtouch.
When the water cooled, he got out. She eyed his saluting hard on and waggled her eyebrows. “The gift that keeps on giving,” she said with a sparkle in hereyes.
He couldn’t contain his laugh and groaned from the shooting pain. After helping him dry off, she suggested he get intobed.
He had to tell her. Though he ran the risk of losing her, she wasn’t his to lose. Not this time. Maybe if he told her the truth, she would forgive him for what he’ddone.
“I have a confession,” he said, and watched her playful expressionfall.
22
Unmasked
“Not you, too?”shewhispered.
