Page 49 of Innocent Salvation

Reaper clapped her on the shoulder. “Come on, baby girl, time to face the music.”

She nodded and got out of the car, walking behind him as he unlocked the door, hearing the multitude of locks disengage through the steel-reinforced doors.

Inside she was met with silence, and she wasn’t sure if that was better or worse.

Knowing the layout from previous stays she headed upstairs where she could hear the sound of someone moving around. Closing her eyes and taking a breath, she smoothed her hair and pushed through the bedroom door.

Sebastian’s eyes locked on her as he turned from the window, and she saw relief wash over him before a flicker of anger fought for dominance. He looked exhausted, his eyes had shadows underneath and his hair, which was normally so tidy, was unkempt like he’d been running his fingers through it.

As she tried to form the words to explain and apologise, he was across the room, and she was in his arms. He held her tight to his body as she hugged him back, relief rushing through her at the feeling of home his arms brought to her.

His head bent and she felt his lips against her neck, not in a sexual way but as if he was reassuring himself she was there and safe. She knew she’d been wrong to run now but, in the moment, it had seemed like the right thing to do, and she regretted it.

Seb lifted his head, and she knew he was still fighting the urge to berate her, and she deserved it. “Don’t ever fucking run from me again.”

“I’m sorry, Seb. I was trying to protect you.”

“I know that and a part of me even understands but you’re mine, and I protect what’s mine, not the other way around.”

Snow pushed away slightly to look up at him, his hard body distracting her, and she didn’t want to make this worse by pointing out she was the more deadly of the two of them and offend his manhood.

Deciding a change of subject was easier she asked about Fleur. “How is Fleur?”

“I checked in with Valentina and she’s fine, loving life as a mini dog trainer. Although I’ve only been gone a few hours so I’m not sure that’s a good indication. Snow, I know this is your job and the truth is, you saved my life back at the house. A fact I relive every night with shame, but I need to know we’re at least a team if this is going to work.”

“A team I can do.” Her smile was almost back to its previous level of sunshine as she grinned at him.

His thumb found her lips and tugged at the bottom one before he hooked his arms around her hips and pulled her close. “There it is. I’ve missed that smile the last few days.”

“I have to say you seem less angry than Reaper suggested you were.”

Seb scowled, his forehead crinkling. “Reaper needs to butt out of our business before I shove my fist down his throat.”

Snow chuckled. Knowing that the two men needed to work it out on their own, she wasn’t getting involved with this for love or money.

At that second her tummy growled. Seb’s eyes rose before his normally, or maybe that was formally, stoic expression tilted into a grin. “Hungry, baby?”

“I forgot to eat.”

Taking her hand, he towed her down the stairs and into the kitchen, which she knew would be fully stocked by now. Reaper was on his phone and looked at them as they entered, his expression unreadable but she caught the tension in his eyes and wondered what had caused it.

“Everything all right?”

“Yeah, I might have a new assignment coming up.”

“Oh?”

Snow waited to see if he’d elaborate but he didn’t. She didn’t push in case it was because Seb was in the room. Although he was privy to a lot about Shadow now, he didn’t know details on anything but her case, and until Bás or Jack Granger said otherwise, it would stay that way.

“Grilled cheese okay?”

Snow nodded.

“That would be lovely, Judge. Thank you,” came from Reaper.

Seb shot him the finger and Reaper laughed and got up to make himself a sandwich. That was progress she hadn’t expected.

“The team will be here within the hour.”