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She was silent and I glanced at her, wondering if I’d blown it. “No one has ever asked me to stay.” Her fingers tightened around mine. “I’ll stay on one condition.”
“Whatever you want.”
She shook her head. “You should really find out what the condition is first.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll do it,” I said instantly.
“Be honest with me. No lies. No half-truths. Don’t say you’re doing it to protect me. Just tell me the truth, whatever it is.”
I could see how important it was to her, but I had to know. “Is this a two-way street? Because you know a lot more about me than I know about you.”
“Nico’s stolen,” she blurted out, slapping her hand over her mouth the second after she said it. “Don’t take him away from it. It would kill him,” she pleaded, her eyes glistening.
I turned into the driveway, stopping the car. “I would never take him from you,” I promised, twisting in the seat so I could face her. “I feel like I’m missing some context here. Did you steal Nico?”
She hesitated, chewing on her lip. “Not exactly,” she hedged. “It’s more like he stole me?”
“I’m confused,” I admitted, exhaustion creeping in.
“Nico belonged to my previous employer.” Her mouth twisted. “He isn’t,” she paused. “A very good man. When I left, Nico followed me.”
My tired brain was a little slow but I started to connect the dots. “Was this employer the same one who hurt you?” I ran my hands over the arms she kept covered, my anger starting to ignite.
“Yes.”
“Is that why you came here? This employer wants Nico back?” She nodded, sucking on her bottom lip nervously. “Is there more to this employer?” She swallowed. “I will do everything in my power to help you, Cadence, but I need to know what I’m dealing with.”
“I did some work for him. I didn’t realize what he was doing was illegal.” She paused, looking guilty. “At least, not at first. When I figured it out, I decided to get out, but he paid the local police well.” She raised her arms, slowly pushing down the sleeves so I could see the full extent of the scars that snaked around her skin, each one a twisted testament to what she’d endured. “This was my punishment.” My finger traced one of the scars as I worked to contain the rage that threatened to burst through. “He said he’d forgive my foolishness and let me continue to work for him.” She shook her head. “I knew it was only a matter of time. I built the system he was using for his illegal activities. Once I was no longer of use, he’d kill me.” She tugged her sleeves back down with a jerk. “I ran.”
“And Nico followed you.”
She nodded. “I can guarantee he wants Nico back and me dead.” She lifted her shoulders helplessly. “I didn’t know where to go. I’ve been running for months, usually only a few steps ahead of him. So, I came here.” She closed her eyes as she shook her head. “I should have known better. All I’ve done is put you at risk.”
“You did exactly the right thing,” I responded and her eyes popped open. “You don’t need to fight this fight alone.” I rubbed my thumb along the edge of her eye, catching a tear that had barely begun to fall. “And, Cadence, we don’t fight fair here. We do it dirty and we don’t stop until its finished.”
“Are we talking about the same thing?” She questioned, her lips curving.
“Let’s just say that’s my approach to all things in life.” I ducked my head closer to hers. “Will you stay?”
She looked up at me through a fringe of dark eyelashes. “I will.”
Elation mixed with relief made me lightheaded as I drew her closer. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“If you don’t, I will,” she sassed, her finger tracing my jawline. “I wouldn’t want to regret my decision.”
My lips brushed the corner of her mouth as I breathed in the scent of her skin. Her lips parted and I sealed mine over them, claiming her. Fingers raked over my scalp as our mouths met again and again, each press harder than the last until I was afraid I would bruise her. I lifted my head as she gasped, breathing as hard as I was. My thumb rested in the curve of her neck, feeling how fast her heart raced. “Any regrets,” I murmured against her ear.
“Only that we didn’t do that sooner,” she answered, pressing her lips against mine hard, then leaning back. “I should go.”
“Now?”
“Now,” she agreed, her hand catching the handle of the car door. “Before I do something stupid in the heat of the moment.”
“It’s not stupid if we agree it’s not stupid,” I answered stupidly. She chuckled, a little breathlessly to my satisfaction. “Okay, fine. Be the responsible one.”
