Page 59 of Lethal Threat

Pressing his lips flat, he looks down at me with unreadable thoughts behind his eyes. “We’re not going there right now for your protection. It will hurt you and you’ve been traumatized. You’re safe. I’ll make sure you’ve got what you need as you recover.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when we left the hospital? Seems like once we exited the building you didn’t need to keep the lie up.”

“I wanted you to come here with me. And so you know, I never wanted to lie to you. But it’s what made sense.”

“You tricked me.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at him.

“Call it that if you like. I’m sorry if it hurt you, but I wanted you here where you’d be safe.”

I look away, letting my gaze fall to the center of his chest. For some stupid, idiotic reason I desperately need for him to hug me.

How nutso is that?

Cole’s knuckle slides against my chin, lifting my face until we’re eye-to-eye. “Be as angry as you want at me. I deserve it. But I need you to remember your promise to me—you’ll do what I say. It’s important so I can look out for you.”

Moisture floods my lashes. Stings the back of my eyes and along the inside of my throat. “What if I don’t want you to take care of me?”

What the hell did I just say?

He flinches and his hand falls away to hang limply by his side. “I can arrange for you to stay with my family.” He clears his throat and steps back. “But I hope you won’t choose that option.”

Tears spill over my lashes. The streaks they lay are cold against my burning cheeks.

Pressing my teeth into my lip, I fight for any kind of control over my emotions. “Why do you really want me here?” I rasp.

In a thick voice, he says, “Because I’m still in love with you.”

Chapter Twenty-One

SIERRA

Wow. Talk about getting blindsided. It hurts. All the way down inside me.

Hot water pours over me, mixing with my tears.

I’m not over him.

My mind doesn’t remember, but the squeezing sensation in my chest is the only proof I need.

Without a doubt I have loved Cole Strong.

My world is in shambles. Nothing makes sense. Cole lied to me. Yet, I want to run to him. I need him like I need my next breath.

This is insane.

I press my face against the shower wall and pray this storm ends soon. My moorings are weak.

“Sierra, sweetheart, are you okay?” Cole’s deep voice carries through the bathroom door and over the sound of the shower.

I knew he’d come to check on me after I turned around and left the kitchen with a grumbled, “I need space.”

The air had turned suffocating.

I thought maybe a shower would help.Wrong.

If anything I’m antsier, more desperate for some relief.

“I’ll be down in a few minutes,” I call back.