Broken Trust(Devastation Duet #2) - Winter Paige Page 0,11
enough for tonight.”
Leading me over to the bed, we sit.
“Are you safe?”
“I’ll be okay.”
Jonah stands, looking at me. “Not what I asked, Eliana. Are you safe? What happened to-“
“Joshua?” I study him, weighing my options, deciding to be as honest as I can. “We were attacked, and he… he didn’t make it.” I shake with a sob, and he quickly wraps me in his arms.
“God, I didn’t know. I’m sorry. The girls said there was an accident. They didn’t say- Fuck!” He rocks me.
“They don’t know.” I sniff. “I just had to get away, and then they brought me here. You are the only one who doesn’t look at me with pity, so I went with it. I like the me I am with you.”
“There is nothing to pity, beautiful. You captivate everyone around you. I don’t know how you can’t see it, but that just adds to your beauty.” He touches my cheek, kissing me. “So now that you’re a celebrity, what will you do?” He smiles.
“A celebrity, huh?” I laugh and then sigh. “You leave in the morning.”
“I do. Come with me?” he asks hopefully.
I kiss him gently, “Help me chase away the shadows?”
“Anything,” he breathes.
He lays me back, undressing me slowly and running his fingers over every inch of my skin reverently. Every touch is tender, each kiss a caress, and when we finally climax together, I thank the stars I found him when I did. We aren’t forever, but this moment in time was perfect. He gave me shelter in the storm when I needed it most.
“You aren’t coming with me, are you?”
“I can’t. I’m not a runner, and I have to put some things right.”
“I need to know you will be okay, beautiful.” He looks pained.
“I’m a survivor, rock star.” I kiss him.
“Call me if you need anything. Call me even if you don’t need anything. If you’re lonely, scared, bored. Call me, okay?”
“One more time?” I won’t drag him into this. I don’t want to lose his friendship, but this is my world, not his.
“I thought you’d never ask.” He smiles sadly, laying me back.
“Thank you, Jonah.”
“For what?” He pauses, gazing into my eyes.
“For water balloons, for laughter, for take-out, for vodka straight from the bottle, for singing, for Truth or Dare. For normal. For free. Thank you for being my safe place to land, Jonah.”
“It was my pleasure, beautiful.” He kisses away my tear. “And our time isn’t up yet.”
“Well then, let’s make the most of it.”
Hours later, I wake to harsh whispers but keep my breathing even, listening.
“I won’t let you hurt her. Take whatever you want, but you’ll have to kill me to get to her,” Jonah hisses.
“Well now, I didn’t expect all this. You actually care about her?” Abel found me.
“Of course I do, and she’s been through enough. So like I said. Get. Out.”
“Not happenin’, man. She can’t stay here.”
“Abel, leave him alone.” I sit up and stretch, remembering too late that I’m not dressed and yanking the blanket back up. “Oops.”
“Well Darlin’, seems you’ve been having a pretty good time.” Abel stares down Jonah as he tugs one of his t-shirts over my head.
“Save it, Abel. You’re lucky I didn’t knife all of you before I left. Fuck you very much, by the way.” I pull on a pair of Jonah’s sweats, glancing to my ripped dress in the corner, and Jonah smirks.
“Wear them. Gives me an excuse to see you when I come back.” He kisses me. “Are you safe with him? You don’t have to go.”
“Oh, for fuck sake,” Abel growls.
“Valid question, Abel! Everything else aside, how the hell did you get in here?”
“I have my ways.” He chuckles.
I turn back to Jonah. “Thank you for everything. I left something for you in your bag. You’ll know when to open it.”
“Promise me you’ll be okay-” He hugs me closely. “-and stop hiding, Eliana. You are far too spectacular to spend your life locked away.”
“I’m done hiding. Now, quit worrying about me, and go shine. You, sir, are going to do amazing things.”
I hug him tightly and turn to leave, but he spins me back and kisses me deeply.
“Don’t forget me, beautiful.”
“Impossible.” I smile, touching a finger to his dimple. “Goodbye, Jonah.” I walk to the door, pausing when he calls out.
“Abel, if anything happens to her, I’m coming for you.”
“Anything happens to her, you won’t have to.” Abel places a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“I’m pretty sure I was the