Page 63 of Scars of Silk

As fast and erratic as my heartbeat is, I can’t ignore the sinking sensation in my stomach. “I can’t. You know I can’t.”

He nods slowly and I watch carefully for a shadow to darken his gaze, but it doesn’t come. “How’s your mum?”

“Still in hospital. He did a number. I think he pushed her downs the stairs; not that she’s admitted it.”

“You know there are support groups for domestic abuse? When Faith first told me what Aiden had done to her, I looked into all places to get her help.”

I nod. It doesn’t hurt when he mentions her name now. He’s here with me. Not far from where she lives; but he knocked on my door, not hers. That’s all I need to know.

“There are shelters she can go to.”

“I know. But she won’t. The Richards don’t break formation…” I pause, my chest pulling. “Apart from Will. He broke formation once and for all.”

Dan reaches forward and places his lips against mine; a brief but sweeping kiss that lightens the loaded weight in my chest. “Maybe he did it to show you that you can be free too. Maybe he thought he could help you. Maybe in whatever darkness he was in…” Dan swallows hard and I squeeze my arms around him. “Maybe he wanted to change things for you, but of course he was never to know it wouldn’t work.”

“Or maybe he was selfish and just left me.”

He nods. “Maybe that too.”

“So when is your plane leaving?”

“Probably never.”

I peer into his eyes closer, determined to see every emotion written there. My heart races, bashes so damn hard I can’t believe he doesn’t hear it. “What do you mean?”

“I said Uncle Barry has shops everywhere. I can start tomorrow in his Camden branch.”

“So you aren’t going to Ibiza?”

His lips curve at one corner, sneaky and delicious. “Not if you want me to stay.”

“Oh my.” My words and breath just kind of gush out of me. “Dan.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll be a secret. Your dad has plans for you, blah blah blah.” That curve of his lips grows. “I just know I don’t want this to be a goodbye between us already.”

“So you’ll stay in London, for me?”

“If you want me.”

“Where will you live?”

In a sudden movement, he rolls me over, caging me under his arms. “Your dad doesn’t visit that often, does he?”

“Never.”

His eyebrows lift and his grin is infectious.

“You can’t be for real.”

“I’ll always be real for you.”

His lips slant over mine, his tongue darting into my mouth, and I close my eyes allowing myself to believe for one precious moment that all of this can be real.

He’s gone when I wake, but his holdall and belongings are still at the foot of the bed so I know he’s coming back.

I don’t need to see his clothes to know he’ll be back. He promised me with his words and his body.

Putting on the kettle, I pull a mug out of the cupboard. Turning, I find a note on the other side of the kitchen.