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The haunted sound in her voice sparked a well of emotions. “You’re not damaged. But if someone hurt you, they will suffer.”
The second she placed her fingers against my face, it was as if a lightning bolt thrashed through my system. I continued to be shocked at the way my body reacted when I was anywhere close to her. “You have far too much to worry about to add me to the list. I’m fine.”
“Then why change the locks?”
“Because I’d already contacted the company to take care of it for me. Nothing more. Like I said, don’t read anything into it. We’re here to enjoy the night. Almost like a date. Right?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded as I searched her eyes, ignoring the fake smile crossing her face.
And I knew one thing for certain.
She was lying.
* * *
Chasity
Lies.
I’d never been good at them. Even as child, the few times I’d fibbed to my parents had been unsuccessful, my deceit resulting in getting my bottom whooped. I could tell by the hard look in Snake’s eyes he didn’t believe me, but the last thing I wanted was for him to hunt down poor Drake, beating him to a pulp. I didn’t care what the detective had told me; Lance had found a way to continue tormenting me.
His parents were rich, powerful people in the Baltimore area, his father holding some position of importance in government. That’s how their son had been able to get the best attorney representation, his testimony able to convince a jury that his injuries and ten minutes of death had been the reason for his psychotic break.
No one would ever be able to convince me he hadn’t been like that before, even if his behaviors hadn’t manifested into kidnapping and torture.
How could I share my fears with Snake? He’d go off the deep end, which wouldn’t help him or alter my fears. The only thing I could do was get his mind off his intention to protect me from everything harmful.
I pulled away, giving him a mischievous look. The truth was that just being close to him made me feel like no one would ever be able to hurt me, but even a rock of a man like Snake couldn’t fight off true evil. I wanted nothing more than to believe Lance hadn’t found a way of fulfilling his last promise. If Detective Martin confirmed the corporal was still nestled in seclusion, only then would I be able to breathe a sigh of relief.
As far as this glorious afternoon, I was determined to shove aside the fear and trepidation, enjoying the time we had together.
When I continued to back away, he cocked his head.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a gruff voice.
“If you want me, you’ll need to catch me.”
“Come here. Right now.” His nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes, the powerful muscles in his arms drawing my attention. Just one look at the gorgeous man and my mouth watered.
“Nope,” I said, although I allowed my heated gaze to fall to the thick bulge between his legs on purpose. He’d given me a gift of trusting me with a portion of his story. That had left me with shivers.
A primal expression crossed his face. “Then you will pay the price of defying me.”
“So be it.”
Laughing, I blew him a kiss then took off running toward the trees. I had no idea why he brought out the playful side of me, his ability to drive out the ugly demons even for a short period of time something I would never forget.
We weren’t destined to be together, but the passion he exuded, the desire I felt around him brought more happiness than I’d experienced in years. I had no intentions of letting go of the elation and peace just yet. I glanced at the sky, muted gray mixing with the last of soft blue as twilight continued to fall. We wouldn’t get home until after dark. That wouldn’t normally bother me but this time it didn’t. At least he was taking me home.
I couldn’t hear him from the hard thudding of my heart, fighting my way through the thick batch of forest, jumping over a few fallen limbs. In a few short minutes, I’d shifted from being the victim of a horrific crime, chased like a fawn attempting to flee the strong legs of the man determined to cut her life short, to a strong woman enjoying a game with a man I’d already fallen hard for.
One so damaged that he could likely succumb to his darkness and anger, which was nothing I should be a part of.
But I couldn’t stay away.
The hunger inside of me only continued to grow, feasting on needs that had been abused during a blip in time where I’d ceased to exist, other than being a puppet for a madman. The irony wasn’t lost on me, but the deliciousness of now being in control of the moment, basking in the slight apprehension that bordered on controllable fear exhilarating. I’d never felt so free or alive, willing to unmask the thick shield of steel I’d built with every panel, every rivet drilled into place.
