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Her question was more troubling than I wanted to let on. “Because I should have been the one who died.”

Juliette held my gaze without blinking, her expression pensive. “That’s so sad. No one deserves to die, especially you. I’m glad you didn’t.”

All I could do was sigh.

“I’ll go take a shower.” With her hand still on my dog, she moved toward the door.

“Juliette. Wait,” I told her.

“What?” A hopeful look formed in her eyes.

From where I stood and with the soft light behind her, she appeared like an angel. The irony that a man like me could have a guardian angel was ridiculous. “As I said, I don’t like leaving you alone. Do you know how to shoot a weapon?”

The hopeful look turned into a scowl. “I took a few lessons a long time ago. An old boyfriend convinced me it was a good idea. I don’t like guns.”

“After your shower, I want to reacquaint you with a handgun. Just in case.”

“If you’re trying to scare me, you’re doing a damn good job.”

Sighing, I closed my eyes briefly. “I’m not trying to scare you, but I am being realistic. I’m taking precautions. Nothing more.”

“Fine.” Obviously angry, she turned her head to study whatever the hell was out the window. Anything or nothing. When she shifted to look at me again, I narrowed my eyes.

“What?”

“I could help you. Run the sanctuary, I mean. If you wanted me to.”

Well, fuck. I hadn’t expected that.

What the hell could I say to her? That I didn’t want her in my life? That I wasn’t good for her? With my teeth gritted, I shoved the SIM card into the slot, thankful Henry’s computer was old enough it had a slot for one. “We’ll see.”

“Right. Famous last words. By the way, I’m sorry I snarled at you. That wasn’t fair. I’m so used to hearing that I’m a failure from my father because of my pictures that I react when anyone sees them. I’m surprised I have any followers.”

The asshole in me was uncertain what to say to make her feel any better.

So I said nothing.

Her shoulders sagged and I could tell she had more to say. While I wasn’t in the mood to hear a lecture, I remained quiet. When she spoke again her tone was soft, yet her expression was hard as steel.

“I know you’re hurting, Kage. I do understand. Over the years, I’ve learned several valuable lessons that I know you probablydon’t want to hear, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Take it for what it is. Grief and guilt are thieves of happiness. When you fall prey to remorse and self-hatred, you lose track of everything beautiful surrounding you. I don’t want that for you. I care about you. Maybe more than I should. Maybe more than you can handle, but I do. Please find yourself. You won’t be able to let anyone in or find any peace until you do.”

As soon as she walked out, I stared at the doorway. Feeling empty inside. Fuck me. She’d crawled so far under my skin I could feel her even when she wasn’t near.

That wasn’t good for either of us.

Something about the woman shattered me.

I’d caught more than a glimpse of the complicated woman who wanted nothing more than to find her place in the world. She’d also offered me her vulnerability and I’d shoved it aside. What kind of man did that?

Emotional reactions had never been easy for me. I’d learned the hard way allowing my feelings to show would only cause more friction and distance with my father. So I’d learned to remain as emotionless as possible.

Yet images of her voluptuous body lingered in my mind.

I could still feel her sliding up and down on my cock, moaning as I fisted her hair, begging for more.

Dear God, I wanted to give it to her.

Concentrate. You have work to do.