Page 28 of The Quiet Witness

Kate’s hand supported her shoulder.

“Let me check out that arm.” The words slipped from his lips. Uninvited.

Her head snapped up. Confusion plain. “No, thank you.”

“It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.” Pain had never been part of the plan.

She huffed. “Yeah well, you did.”

Silence fell between them.

But then she broke it, voice breaking alongside it. “I don’t fucking get it. What am I even doing here?”

If only I knew.

“Why not just be done with me?” A sob wrecked her composure. He witnessed how she fought against it. Teeth grinding over each other to force it back down. Down where she buried all the rest.

“I can’t constantly watch my back, waiting for you to take your chance.”

Lucien sighed. This… this was the reason he should have ended it.

“Don’t give up on yourself just yet.”

“What?” Disbelief framed her pale face. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.”

He shouldn’t have.

“The way you fight back. It’s…” He shook his head. Letting that part go unsaid. “But your body is tired. The poison is still coursing through your veins. Give it some rest before shooting your shot again.” He still had a conscience left. Broken in pieces and floating around. But it existed.

How could he snuff out the candle of her fight, just like that?

Still, she clenched her knees tightly. But her eyebrow was raised, curious. Good.

He smirked. “If there is anyone here who needs to look out, it’s me.”

Kate’s shoulders shook. For a second he feared she was crying again. Instead, gritty laughter escaped her.

I’m slipping into madness. There is no other explanation. Seems she’s right there with me, though.

“Please get out.” She rested her face in her hands.

“Let me help you first. Please.”

She peeked through her hands, a strange glint in her eyes. Almost… hopeful. “Fine. But don’t try anything funny.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She allowed him closer. It was a start.

He stepped deeper in her room. Feeling like he was trespassing into her space. It was his house for goodness sake.

Lucien pulled the chair up to her bed. Careful not to touch anywhere else, he laid a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened, but didn’t pull away.

He breathed a sigh. Probing for damage. Kate winced… that was the spot.

“Can you lift your arm for me?”

She did. He frowned while rotating her arm, blocked a bit. Shoulders, such fragile joints.