Page 63 of Vengeance

“Was any of this real?” she asked. He felt as if she had driven a knife between his ribs.

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“You knew who I was before we met. You watched what happened to me. You spent years feeling guilty, and then my dad died, and you decided you could finally save me.”

“That isn’t what happened.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No,” he said.

She folded her arms across her chest. “Then tell me what happened.”

“I came to Huntsville because I intercepted the contract on you,” he said.

“Because you owed Savage,” she interrupted.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“And because you felt responsible for what Dante did,” she said.

“Yes.”

Her eyes glistened. “Then how am I supposed to know you want me and not forgiveness?” Vengeance threw back the covers and stood. Pain pulled through his side, but he ignored it.

“I don’t expect forgiveness,” he insisted.

“Then what do you expect?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he breathed.

“That’s not an answer.”

“I didn’t protect you so you’d give me something.”

She put her hands on her hips and stared him down. “What about last night?” she asked.

“That wasn’t payment for anything,” he said. His voice cracked through the room, and Chloe flinched. Vengeance immediately lowered his tone. “I would never touch you if I thought you were doing it because you owed me.”

“I didn’t,” she said.

“I know.” He crossed the room slowly, stopping several feet away from her. “I wanted you before you trusted me.” Her breath caught. “I wanted you when you hated me.”

“That’s not very flattering,” she said.

“It’s the truth.” Despite her tears, the corner of her mouth twitched, and he continued. “I wanted you every night you slept beside me with that pillow between us.”

“I noticed you hated that pillow,” she said.

“I considered burning it.” She released a shaky laugh, and the sound gave him enough courage to step closer. “I don’t want your forgiveness, Chloe.”

“What do you want?” she asked.

“You.” The single word carried everything he had been too afraid to admit, and her smile disappeared. Vengeance reached up but stopped before touching her face. “I want you safe. I want you to be happy. I want you to go home to your family when this is over.”

“And what about you?” she asked.

He swallowed. “I haven’t thought that far ahead.”