Page 66 of Ghost

“I’ve never told anyone that before,” he said.“Not a fucking soul.”

The tears lingering at her eyes spilled out.

He kissed her forehead.“Go back to sleep.”

Minutes slipped by, but she couldn’t drift off.Every time she closed her eyes, she pictured Ghost as a teenager, full of rage.Pictured the little girl just wanting a loving family.

And her heart broke for them both.

CHAPTER 18

After tidying theshop, Ghost locked up and made his way back to the cabin.Normally he’d shovel again before leaving, but he was in too much of a hurry to get back to Seattle and find Hunter.

By now, the leader of Trident would be well aware Ghost was still alive.Which meant the bastard might disappear again, or find another way to take him out.If Hunter came after him, it’d save Ghost the trouble of finding him.

Too bad he hadn’t slept well.A nightmare.Dammit.What was the matter with him?Hearing about Mila’s childhood must have unearthed the emotions and memories he’d thought were only a marked gravesite in his mind.

Turns out, Evie still had a stranglehold on him.

He hadn’t dwelled on Evie in years.Sure, he’d thought about her.Remembered her blond curls and blue eyes.The way she was always twirling and dancing.So goofy and loud.Fuck had she been loud.He fought a smile.As quickly as his lips twitched, anger filled him.

Evie’s light had dimmed in the months before Ghost realized what was going on.She still always lit up when he was around, but she seemed more withdrawn.Sad.

The guilt of not preventing Richie from getting to her—that was something he’d have to live with until he died.

He stomped his boots on the mat before entering the kitchen.Mila stood beside the kitchen table, the bag he’d lent her on a nearby chair.“All set?”he asked.

She had her coat on and her arms wrapped around her waist.If body language was anything to go by, she didn’t want to leave.

Hell, he didn’t want this—whateverthiswas—to end either.Waking up to her had been pure fucking heaven.Sinking into her ready and waiting body as they both roused from sleep was something he could get used to.

Her lips stretched into a paper-thin smile.“Ready when you are.”

“All right, let’s go.We’ll take the truck.It’ll be better on the roads.”

“Okay.”She reached for her bag, but he swung it over his shoulder before she could grab it.

A wistful smile flitted over her face.“I’m gonna miss that.”She sidled around him and slipped her feet into the boots he’d bought her.

“Miss what?”

She lifted one shoulder.“Having someone chivalrous around.”

He snorted and opened the door for her.“Honey, I’m anything but chivalrous.”

“You just opened the door for me,” she said pointedly.“And you’re carrying my bag.As a matter of fact, you’ve carried everything, including me.”

He locked the door then jiggled his keys in his palm.Chivalrous.Not how he saw it.Assholes like him didn’t care about manners.That said, he’d be damned if he watched a woman carry something heavy when he was more than capable.“It was below zero and you had no shoes.’Course I carried you.”

She trudged down the path next to him, a wide grin on her face.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing.”She glanced up at him, amusement shining in her eyes.“I just think it’s cute you don’t want anyone to think you’re a nice guy.”

“Ha,” he barked.“Soon as we get to Seattle, I’m getting you a CT scan.”

He opened the man door and clicked on the light.