Page 196 of The Silent War

It was nothing and everything at the same time. Each word made me want to walk slower, to draw the moment out, to keep her here just a little longer before she slipped away.

She had stayed with us all week. Her bag was still upstairs in the penthouse, waiting for her. But tonight, she was meant to go back to Alexander. Before he arrived in Villain.

The one thing that eased letting her go for the night, was the fact tomorrow we sat down with Damius. The day after that, her family would feel the noose.

I might have to stop Luca from taking a photo of Alexander face. Though. Knowing Luca, he would make sure a camera was pointed to capture the moment.

His message still burned across my screen:Another hour. Don’t let her leave.

I pulled her closer, sliding my arm around her and lockingher to my side. I couldn’t stop touching her, needing the proof she was real.

“You cold baby?” I gripped her waist tighter.

She smiled up at me from the crook of my arm. “Not when I’m with you.” She slid her arm around my back and stepped in front of me.

“Guess my career as electric blanket is turning out to be successful then.” My other hand cupped her face.

She frowned at me. I saw her question before she asked it.

I kissed her the top of her head, pulling her in closer. “I hate this part,”

“Only a few more weeks right?”

“Exactly,”

“You might get sick of me.” She pulled back slightly, offering me a piece of candy.

I moved my hand to the back of her neck, holding her still and kissed her taking her piece of candy instead.

“Thief,” she whispered slightly breathless against my lips. Her hand gripped my shirt, she kissed me again, her tongue in my mouth taking it back.

She peeked my lips, barely, when she pulled back the biggest grin on her face.

Movement out of the corner of my eye caused me to look away.

Chrome rims. Parked at an angle across the street.

Every muscle in my body locked.

I pulled my gun from the back of my waist band. My other arm shoving Emilia hard behind me.

The first shot ripped through my shoulder, forcing me back a step. The second into my side, hot and deep.

But I didn’t stop. I raised my arm and fired back, round after round, body blocking hers even as she screamed my name.

I gritted my teeth against the pain and kept unloading until the car screeched, fishtailed around the corner.

I held her to my back, until my legs got heavy, taking me to the ground.

Emilia dropped beside me, her hands frantic, slipping against the blood. Her eyes were wide.

“Bastion—oh God—are you hurt—” Her words broke, tears overpowered her, as her hands pressed to my side, then my shoulder.

“Hey—” I dragged my hand up, cupping her cheek.

My blood now all over her cheek but I held her face anyway, pulled her eyes to mine. “Are you hurt? Tell me you’re not hit.”

She shook her head hard, “No, I’m fine, I’m fine—but you’re—” Her voice breaking, and she couldn’t finish.