I Just Need You - J. Nathan Page 0,57

attempt, he’ll stop. But I can tell you one thing. Until we know for sure, we’re not getting lax when it’s your life we’re dealing with.”

I pulled in a deep breath. I still couldn’t believe this was my life. It was amazing I was still holding it together. Was it just a matter of time before I broke down? Was it just a matter of time before I needed heavy meds to sleep? Was it just a matter of time before they got me?

“Stop whatever it is you’re thinking right now.”

I looked to Tristan who leveled me with serious eyes.

“I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.”

I hoped to God he was right.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Tristan

When we returned to the dorm, Briggs escorted Kresley up to her room while I parked the car. I didn’t want to leave her side, but I wasn’t gonna lie. I needed a minute alone to wrap my head around what happened back there.

I just killed someone. And while I knew the guy was a monster, I prayed it wouldn’t haunt me. I had enough haunting me.

But what was the alternative?

If I didn’t kill him, he would’ve taken Kresley. And that would have broken me.

I pulled into a parking spot, switched off the engine, and dropped my head to the steering wheel. Was I more upset at myself for missing the signs outside the shelter? Or that I almost lost Kresley? I knew the truth. I knew I couldn’t have lived with myself if anything happened to her. As much as I fought us happening, we had happened. And calling it a mistake had been the biggest lie I’d ever told.

I slammed my hands on the steering wheel, hating that I’d need to face Marco and Kresley’s parents. Sure, I killed the threat. But it didn’t mean I hadn’t left Kresley in danger because I needed to prove that I didn’t have feelings for her. That had been my biggest mistake.

I pulled my shit together and stepped out of the car.

Someone shoved my chest, slamming me against the car door and holding me there. I reached for my gun, freezing when I saw it was Marco glaring at me.

“Explain,” he growled.

“Let go of me,” I ordered.

He released me, but his eyes never left mine.

“There’s nothing to explain. Somehow, the fucker bypassed the security we had in place. I saw him running through the woods toward her. I alerted her. Then shot him in the back.”

His eyes narrowed. “You shot him in the back? Why weren’t you right next to her?”

“She didn’t want me with her, so I was giving her some space.”

“I don’t give a fuck what she wants. We do what’s best for her.”

I clenched my teeth. I didn’t need him telling me I should’ve been doing what’s best for her. I already fucking knew.

“I should’ve been there,” Marco said, seemingly pissed at not only me but at himself.

“You never go to the shelter with us. Besides, this would’ve happened either way since he somehow bypassed our cameras.”

He ran his hands through his hair, looking as tired and angry as he probably felt.

“Go be with your wife. Briggs is here. And I promised I wouldn’t leave Kresley’s side tonight.”

“What’s that mean?” he snapped.

“You know what that means.”

“For someone who didn’t want to take this job, you’re fucking acting like it’s something more.”

“I care about her, Marco. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

“Like today?” he asked, really testing my patience.

“Fuck you.” I was no employee. I was his fucking partner.

Indecision played across his tired eyes.

“Go be with your wife,” I repeated. “The guys are following leads back at the office, and she’s got two of us here.”

“I need to see her,” Marco said, fatherly concern coloring his tone.

I sighed. “Yeah, of course.”

We arrived at the dorm to find Briggs in a chair outside Kresley’s room. He stood when he saw Marco and me approaching.

“How’s your wife?” Briggs asked, giving Marco a half-hug pat on the back.

“She and the baby are good. Shouldn’t be long now before she delivers the doc says,” Marco explained. He nodded toward Kresley’s door. “I need a minute.” He tapped on Kresley’s door. “It’s Marco.”

Her door opened.

“You okay, ma’am?” he asked her.

She laughed, but it cracked as tears threatened to fall. “Yes.”

He walked her into her room and closed the door behind them. Though the rumble of his deep voice carried through the door, he kept his voice low enough that I couldn’t hear what he was saying. Was he asking her