Page 84 of Wretched Soul

Her voice is a hoarse whisper when she asks, “Then what do you need from me?”

“For you to be happy.”

“Do you seriously want me to find someone else, Shade?”

If Lily had asked me yesterday, I would have answered immediately. I would have told her she was mine, and no one else’s. I would have promised not to be so obsessive, or possessive, or overprotective. But last night reinforced every oneof my fears. “I don’t think I can be the person you need me to be, the kind of man you deserve.”

Lily’s hand travels up from my chest to my jaw. Her thumb brushes my lips. “You’d step back and let me be with someone else? Without breaking their arms?”

I close my eyes. “I’d have to.”

“But could you let me go?” she asks, then waits for me to look at her again. A tear trickles down her cheek and her breath quickens, matching mine.

“Lily…”

“You don’t scare me, Shade. I’m here, safe in your arms. How can I fear anything? You’re more than I deserve.”

I fist her hair and bring her mouth closer. “Promise me you’ll think carefully before you ask me my name. Because once you have it, I’m the only man you’ll ever know. I won’t let you go, Slayer.” Her trembling lips brush mine, but she doesn’t answer. I grip her hair tighter. “Promise me.”

“I promise.”

My mouth presses against hers and when her lips part, her tongue swipes over mine. She isn’t going to stop, so I have to, and we release twin groans of frustration as I pull her off me.

“Now go to fucking sleep.”

She’s not the only one who’s exhausted, and when Lily curls into my chest and her breathing evens out, I fall asleep too.

The rising sun plays across my lids, but that isn’t what wakes me. Nor is it the damp patch on my chest where Lily’s drooling onto my shirt. One of my arms is numb from holding her, but I don’t move. And I don’t open my eyes. I listen, and the noise that woke me repeats again. It’s a man clearing his throat.

I take a slow, steadying breath. If I didn’t know that sound too damn well, I’d be on my feet by now, turning Lily away from whatever threat was coming. But my anger is familial, not lethal when I snap open my eyes and glare at Ash.

He’s fucking smiling. Ash does not smile.

I automatically pull the hem of Lily’s t-shirt down her thighs. “What are you doing here?” I whisper.

He glances at Lily. She’s still sleeping thankfully, and he keeps his voice low. “Dropping off Connie’s food. There’s enough to feed a family of four for a week. Chicken broth, plain omelets, a rice thing, and a breakfast burrito for you.” His grin widens. “I’m under instruction to make sure you eat it.”

“I’ll manage,” I say curtly. “For fuck’s sake, Ash. You could have buzzed up, or left the food outside the door.”

Ash shoves his hands in his pockets, unabashed. “I just wanted to make sure you’re both OK.”

It’s hard to keep hold of my annoyance, but I give it a good try. I’m in the midst of a battle, trying to do the right thing when I don’t know what the right thing is for me and Lily. I don’t want her meeting one of my brothers until her place in my life is guaranteed. “We’re good.”

He rolls back on his heels. “Then I’ll leave you in peace.”

“That would be a good idea.”

Ash turns slowly, hands still in his pockets, a smug look on his face when he glances back. “Nice to meet you, Lily.”

“You too, Ash,” she says, turning her head to the door while remaining pressed to my chest.

The fucker is chuckling as he leaves.

“You heard all of that?” I ask as Lily unfolds herself from my lap.

She rubs her eyes. “Is he one of your brothers?”

I pull the strand of hair stuck to her creased cheek and tuck it behind her ear. “Yeah. I’m sorry about that.”