Page 38 of Ghost

She slipped her fingers from his even though part of her wanted to stay encased in his protective grasp forever.

Ridiculous.Nonetheless, relief loosened her shoulders.For the first time in as long as she could remember, she had possibilities before her.

Change.

Still, grief struck her heart.She’d never get her family or old life back.Gone was the innocent girl who lived for dancing, cooking with her mother, and playing in the backyard with her brother and father.

But she had something.

Even if that something came in the shape of a six-foot-four frenemy.

***

He had tobe out of his goddamn mind.

Making a deal with the woman who had his balls in a bunch and who’d tried to kill him in his sleep two nights ago.

The guys were gonna have a field day with this.

Ghost blew out a breath as he rinsed the last dish and stuck it in the dishwasher.At least she’d agreed to give up her handler.He knew from experience that this wasn’t an easy thing to do.She couldn’t return to her old job after such a violation.

The floor overhead creaked and a minute later her footsteps sounded on the stairs.She entered the room wearing the same sweatpants but with one of his hoodies he’d offered.She’d freshened up.Her hair still hung loosely around her shoulders, but it no longer held knots.

She’d used his brush.

The idea of her scent on his things, of his belongings on her hair and body, made his cock stiffen.

“Ready?”he asked, drying his hands on a dishtowel.After breakfast, he’d promised to drive her into town so she could get clothes that fit and whatever else she needed.

She nodded, her fingers knotting at her middle.Huh.Shy?Interesting.He’d witnessed several sides of the little spitfire who’d just about made him swallow his teeth with a roundhouse kick.

He wasn’t stupid.She was capable as hell and neither of them would forget it.But he had to admit there was more to Mila.She was softer than he’d realized.

“Everything okay?”he pressed.

She rocked onto the outsides of her feet.“Yeah.Fine.It’s just...what if I can’t get my handler—Neo—to cooperate?And how long do I have to stay after you get the information you want?”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter near the sink.“Honestly, I don’t know.I don’t want to hold you here against your will any longer than necessary, but I need answers.Let’s just hope you can speak to your friend when we get back.If all goes well and I get a name, I’ll drive you home this afternoon.”

He waited for her face to light up.He hadn’t thought she’d jump up and down, but he’d expected some kind of indication that this was the outcome she wanted.

“Okay.”

“Okay?Don’t tell me you want to stay here with me.”

She let out a nervous laugh.“Uh, no.I want to go home, it’s just...”She shrugged and a pink tint colored her cheeks.“I guess it all becomes real then.I have to sink or swim.”

Understanding spread through him.“You won’t be able to return to what you know, is that it?”

She didn’t nod but her eyes dropped.

He stepped forward, cupping her elbows in his hands.She tilted her head back, her eyes wide, but she didn’t move away.And Christ, he didn’t want her to.

“Look, Mila.I don’t know shit about you.But I can tell you this—you’re pretty damn tough.I think you’ll do fine.”

Her lips quirked.“That’s quite the pep talk.”

“Stick around, there’s more where that came from.”