Page 55 of Burn the World Down

“You can thank me later.” He ended the call.

I slipped the phone away and tipped my head back against the couch. My fingers stroked Georgie’s silky hair and I listened to the quiet sound of her breathing. There had been so many times over the years I would have killed for this—to be somewhere safe and comfortable, with Georgie Linden in my arms.

Now that I had her here, I never wanted to let her go.

CHAPTER 20

GEORGIE

Istudied my bruises in the mirror and pulled a face.

They still looked horrible.

Okay, they were getting better. Putrid grape had been joined by some sickly-yellow. My ribs were already feeling less tender and the bullet graze on my arm was healing up nicely. I hadn’t taken as many painkillers today.

And now I was going to a fancy restaurant.

Nash had told me today after our daily session at the shooting range that he was taking me to Elysium. One of the best restaurants in Las Vegas. I’d mentioned that maybe I wasn’t quite ready to go out in public, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

“We’re going out for a nice meal. Snyder isnotstopping you from doing that.”

“You’re determined to feed me.”

“Yep. I won’t make any apologies for that.”

He’d at least promised me a quiet table in the restaurant where people couldn’t see us.

A nice dinner with Nash.

I wanted that.

These last few days with him, just being together and despite everything else, had been some of the best days of my life. I brushed my hair and put it up in a simple twist. I did the best I could with my makeup. It had been so long since I’d done something nice and fun, something for myself.

Guilt pricked at me and my hands dropped, pressing to my stomach. I should be watching Snyder. Making plans to take him down.

Because of him, Viv would never do anything fun again.

Grief oozed through the guilt. I breathed through it. No, Viv wouldn’t want me to stop living. She’d be the first to want me to get out there and live.

Girl, get your ass to that restaurant, enjoy that gorgeous hunk of a man, and have a glass of something fun for me.

With a towel wrapped around me, I headed out into my bedroom. Nash’s room. I’d taken it over and he was sleeping down the hall, but I never forgot this room was his. The bed smelled like him, the closet was filled with his clothes. I shivered.

The kisses we’d shared… I touched my lips. I hadn’t stopped thinking about them.

My heart skittered. I knew this was risky. If I let myself get too close, feel too much. If I fell for him…

No. I was old enough to separate my desire and my feelings. I was attracted to Nash. I had been since I was a teenager. I could explore that without falling in love.

All day today, I’d wanted to kiss him again, but after our early stint at the range, he’d had to work at the casino. He’d ordered me to nap and rest.

Landon had come to check on me again. The doctor had stayed and played cards with me. He’d told me all about the clinic he ran. I liked him. I was so glad that Nash had good friends.

Even if they were retired-assassin ones.

It should scare me, knowing what Nash and his friends had done, but Nash had rescued me. Landon had treated me. And the others had promised to help me.

Strangely, the so-called bad guys seemed like the good guys.