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She glances at the broken door then back at me as something enters her gaze that pulls my chest tight. I sit back on the chair and pull her onto my lap, settling my hands on her hips, holding her… like I have no right to do.

“I’m an idiot. I mean, Aaron is a dick but—”

“No, don’t do that. Don’t justify him. He left you in the pouring rain after years of acting like an idiot. You’re not to blame here.”

“I should’ve seen that we weren’t meant to be a long time ago. He doesn’t want kids. He doesn’t want anything.”

“You want kids?”

She nods slowly. “Yeah, a houseful. I have this fantasy where I’m mother of the century and my kids all know it.”

I laugh under my breath. “That is a fantasy. I don’t think kids ever realize the sacrifices their moms make for them. My mom was great, worked herself ragged keeping life together for us, but she passed away when I was young. I don’t think she got half the things she wanted. She deserved better.”

“I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard. Sounds like she made an impact on you, though.” She scratches lightly at the back of my head as we talk. “You want kids of your own someday?”

I should say no. I should steer the conversation elsewhere, but I don’t.

“I wager I’m too damn old now. But truthfully, I’ve never thought much past survival.”

“Maybe you should.” Her expression doesn’t change, like she already knew the answer before I said it. Then all at once, she presses her forehead against my shoulder, exhaling deeply, her weight settling in like she’s finally letting herself relax, finally letting herself be held.

I shouldn’t be thinking about how she fits against me, how she sounds, how badly I want to protect her from everyone and everything.

I can’t overcomplicate the night.

Her fingertip grazes over the scar on my neck. “How did you get this? One of your grand adventures?”

“My father used to be in the business. He was one of the best.” The words come out steadily, but there’s weight behind them I don’t usually let surface. “He knew how to move, and he was ruthless. At a very young age, he taught me how to see a threat before it becomes a problem. Then one day, he became the problem.” I tap my thumb absentmindedly against the back of her hand. “He set me up, gave me a mark, told me the job would be easy.” I huff out a laugh. “He lied.”

She exhales, eyes flickering to mine. “Why would he do that?”

“Because he wanted to teach me a lesson. He wanted to prove to me I wasn’t smart enough, wasn’t fast enough, wasn’t as good as him.”

“So what happened? How’d you get the scar?”

“The mark had protection I wasn’t expecting. He slicked a knife quick across my neck before I could take him out. It was a close call, an eighth of an inch away from my artery.”

She draws her finger across the scar as though she’s trying to understand me. “It looks like it hurt in more ways than one. I’m sorry your dad was so… awful.”

The room is still, except for the cool air slipping in from the broken door. I inhale slowly, breathing in the coconut scent in her hair. “I mean, it could have been worse.He could have let me play video games.Seriously though, that scar reminds me that trust should never be given blindly and that I’m not as invincible as I’d like to be.” I let out a heavy breath.

“And yet you keep going.” Her eyes lift to mine, uncertain of what this all means.

My voice is rougher than I’d like as I say, “Some things you don’t walk away from.”

Her fingers linger a second longer then fall away as though she knows how dangerous this moment is, but neither of us move. Neither of us take the out we both know we should. Instead, the space between us crackles with something dangerous, something inevitable, something that scares the living hell out of me.

Chapter Seven

Nicole

“What did he say when he was dropping you off?” Sienna stares at me with wide eyes as though this is the most entertainment she’s had in a while.

I know the feeling.

“Nothing.”

“I watched him walk you to the door. His lips moved, so he said something. What did he say?”