Page 76 of Floodgates

“Are you kidding?”

I was suddenly giddy. Between being scared and getting beaten up and having to fly out of the state to try and trap a killer—the ridiculousness of my situation had finally caught up to me. I began giggling.

“He fucked around on you twice?”

Yes. God. I was that guy, the one who got cheated on. “I’m pathetic.”

“Jesus, Trace.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose and then closed my eyes and breathed. The laughter subsided, and after a moment, I felt a hand on my cheek. “I’m an idiot.”

“Yep,” he agreed, tracing his thumb over my eyebrow.

I breathed in and out, concentrating, his gentle touch helping me focus, his thumb smoothing over my lashes.

“These look fake.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your eyelashes,” he growled softly. “They’re so long and really beautiful resting on your cheek.”

I swallowed down the lump in my throat.

“They look like glossy black feathers.”

It was helping, how he was talking to me. I could feel myself calm. “Should you be worried about Sean Granger?” I asked, opening my eyes.

“The person responsible for the death of Tim Stanson and the attacks on you and Celia doesn’t give a shit about some guy Breckin fucked.”

“But didn’t Breckin just fuck Stanson?”

“No; they were in a relationship, which is why he’s dead.”

“Okay. So you’re sure Sean Granger is safe?”

“Considering I had no idea there even was a Sean Granger before you just told me, yeah, I am,” he assured me. “You’re on the list because whoever this is knows that Breckin wants you, and Celia’s on the list ’cause she’s knocked up. Only you two matter.”

“That makes sense.” I took a shaky breath.

“But for the record,” he whispered, “I’m only worried about you.”

“What?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I will protect Celia,” he explained softly. “But you’re the only one I’d take a bullet for.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say.”

“Why?”

“Because I’d prefer no bullets were near you at all.”

“Well, hopefully they won’t be, but that’s the point, right?”

“What is?” I pried.

“I’m here for you.”

“So if I wasn’t in danger, you would have let someone else come with Celia?”