Tempest - Kris Michaels Page 0,54

propped herself up on her elbow. "Are they, really?"

He angled his head and studied her. "Why?"

"Because I don't understand how they could be. I don't understand how you're not screaming for justice. My mother knows things about your captivity. Why haven't you had her questioned or arrested?" She blinked back her emotion. "The information I gave you has nothing to do with what she's done to you. How can you be so calm?" She pushed her curls away from her face. "I'd be so hateful if I were you."

He brought her down and kissed her gently before tucking her into his side. He ran his fingers up and down her arm for a moment. "For the last three years I have undergone both a physical and mental reconstruction. I've worked with a psychiatrist and examined almost every aspect of my captivity. Is there still rage and hatred? Yes. Do I want revenge for what happened to me? Oh, yes. Will it be unleashed when the time is right? Absolutely. But in my line of work, you learn to compartmentalize. My time with you has nothing to do with your mother."

She looked up at him. "But you are going to confront her, right?"

"I will."

"When?"

"When my superiors allow me to do so."

"How can you be so damn calm?"

"Who said I'm calm? I've thought of only two things for the last three years."

"And they are?"

He gave a quick, sad smile. "You and revenge."

"Me? Why?"

"The day you were thrust into the cell... I'd given up. I wasn't going to survive. My... will to live had dissolved. You gave me a reason to keep fighting. Hope is a dangerous thing to nurture when you know there isn't any chance of rescue, but your promises made me believe there was a reason to keep going."

"I'm so glad I was able to help get you out of there." She ran her hand across his chest. "You gave me purpose, too. I probably wouldn't have started digging or had the law clerk do research for me if I hadn't met you. I hate my mother for her role in what happened to you."

His fingertips stopped their caress. "Do you know what her role was?"

"I think she was the one who directed you be questioned. She wanted information from you. She said it was nothing personal. No emotion involved. You had information, and she wanted it."

"Explain that." He sat up; his bulk loomed over her.

"I mentioned you in conversation, and she said there was no emotion involved in the process of breaking you down. You were... business as usual for her."

"You know your mother could be involved in things which are dangerous."

"For her? No. She'd never sully her hands. For others? Yes, and as much as I wish it weren't true, I do suspect she's dangerous."

His gold-flecked green eyes stared at her as if he was trying to see into her soul. "When the investigation is done and I finish my duties for Guardian, come away with me."

"Where?"

"Anywhere in the world, you name it."

"What? Like for a vacation?"

He shook his head slowly. "No. Forever."

She startled and blinked up at him. "We hardly know each other."

He shook his head. "I know what I need to know about you. I know your character. You despise unfairness. You want justice for everyone. You don't know how beautiful you are, and you're terrified of becoming like your mother. You're brave and even if life scares you, you push forward. I know who you are here." He laid his hand over her heart.

She stared back at him. “Do you want to know what I’ve learned about you?" He cocked his head and nodded. “You work for Guardian. You have been through hell and survived. You believe there is a sharp line between good and bad, and in your job, you keep the line distinct. You're a man of your word, no matter the cost. You honor your debts and..."

He prompted, "And?"

"And I believe you care about me as much as I care about you, which is illogical. We've spent a total of what, four days together?"

"Four days in each other’s presence. Three years in each other's lives. Illogical, perhaps. There is more between us than couples who have known each other for years."

"I feel like I've known you a lifetime." She traced his lips with her fingertip.

"You have. My life started again the day you found me."

He lowered his lips to hers in a tender kiss before he pulled away. "In full disclosure, I