it away and wrap my arms around Kane. Whatever this is, I want to keep it. I don’t want to lose this.
But I know I will. I can’t hold on to hope. I won’t.
Kane
I brush her hair away from her face. Ava’s still asleep. She looks so sweet. So innocent. Guilt and regret make my chest hurt and my heart sink. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of her. I’m holding her against her will. She’s forced to stay with me.
And yet, she begged me for it.
It took everything in me to turn her down, every ounce of control I had. But I couldn’t resist when she asked like that. I clench my jaw remembering her plea. “Take their touch away.” The desire to kill every one of those fuckers rides me hard. I’m up against all odds, but there’s no fucking way I’ll ever let them touch her again.
She stirs in my arms and it brings me back to the moment. I held her all night, her back to my chest. I fucking love the feel of her soft skin against me. My fingers itch to trail along the dip of her waist. As my eyes travel her body I see her ribs and my desire falters.
She’s still hurt, still suffering. I need to make this right for her.
The sound of my phone ringing on the dresser makes my eyes dart across the room. Ava stiffens in my arms, and it fucking kills me. She’s scared. She’s so used to waking up in fear that even after the night we shared, she still wakes up tense and full of apprehension. I quickly pull her body to mine and kiss her shoulder. My lips linger on her skin.
“Good morning, my good girl.” I know that little pet name makes her relax, and it does the trick once again. Her body molds to mine as the phone rings again. I look from the phone down to her and see her baby blues looking at me, and a soft, small smile is on her lips. I give her a quick kiss and leave her warmth to walk across the room to my phone.
It stops ringing just as I get there, and I grind my teeth when I see the name. Abram.
Fuck.
It’s not a good sign that he’s calling. It doesn’t have to be about Felipe, though. I fucking hope it’s not, anyway. I breathe in deep and hit “call back”. I put the phone to my ear and watch as Ava sits up in bed, covering herself with the blanket.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
“Kane,” Abram says flatly as he answers.
I don’t want to respond as he expects, but I should. He needs to think everything is just fine while I figure out what my next move is. I can’t let him onto anything. I don’t have a plan, and I don’t know who I can trust. I can’t fuck this up and let him in on anything, so I answer like he wants me to, “Boss. Sorry I missed the call. What do you need?”
Ava stills on the bed as she realizes who I’m talking to. I make eye contact with her and put a finger over my lips. I look to the door thinking maybe I should get out of here so she can’t hear what’s going on. She’s not going to like this conversation. But I want her to know everything. I want her to know what I’m telling Abram, and then I’ll let her know what’s going on once the call is over. I need to tell her she’s never going back to him. I’ll die before I let him take her from me.
“I’m not going to lie, Kane. I was worried for a minute. You’re always quick with your phone.” There’s a moment of silence. He’s waiting for me to answer and I don’t fucking like it. I feel like I’m being tested. Something’s up. Maybe he’s heard about Felipe.
“Sorry boss, it was across the room and I was a bit busy.”
“Is that so?” he answers, with a bit of humor in his voice, but that could be to throw me off. “Busy with my gift, I presume?” I fucking hate how he says that. She’s not an object to be given.
Pain radiates in my chest as I answer, “Yeah, I won’t lie. I’ve been enjoying this role.” I enjoyed watching Felipe meet his death, so it’s not a complete lie. He laughs on the other end. It’s a short,