Page 64 of Infernal Secrets

He growled when I stayed frozen, denying myself the comfort I so desperately needed. “I’ve got you. You’re not alone.”

Hearing someone tell me I wasn’t alone when I believed I always would, broke something inside me, and I crumpled, hands gripping the back of his charcoal gray dress shirt. I clung to him for support as my walls collapsed and a raw sound tore free.

He said nothing more, his large hand cradling the back of my head as I soaked his shirt with tears. He kept his other arm looped around my back, squeezing me just enough to let me know he wouldn’t let me fall.

I sensed the others approaching, but I couldn’t speak. I didn’t want them to see me like this.

Ash’s heart raced beneath my ear as we remained locked together until my tears slowed, leaving me tired and raw.

He slid his hand to my cheek and tilted my head up. “You don’t have to hide around me,” he said, stroking his thumb across my cheek, brushing away a stray tear that trickled down.

Before I could question his behavior, Zeke pulled me from Ash’s hold, squeezing me in a tight hug.

“Can’t. Breathe,” I said, pushing on Zeke’s arms.

He jerked back. “Did I hurt you?”

I looked up into his wide, nervous eyes and laughed.

Zeke’s alarmed expression turned frantic as he swung his head from side to side, looking at the others. “Is she okay?” He glanced at me; his navy dress shirt made his blue eyes appear brighter. “Are you okay? You’re laughing.”

His reaction made me laugh so hard tears spilled down my cheeks again.

“Don’t cry,” he said, his expression pained.

I swiped away my tears before putting my hands on his cheeks—the way Cyn had done—to calm him. “Hey,” I said softly. “I’m fine. You make me laugh.”

He eyed me with concern and suspicion. “Are you sure?”

“I am.” I dropped my hands and turned to the guys.

Cyn’s amber eyes caught mine first, turmoil flickering there. Why did my touching Zeke bother him when he knew I had no interest in coming between them?

He dropped his gaze like he couldn’t meet my scrutiny. The muscles in his sculpted jaw flexed, and the neck tattoo peeking above the collar of his maroon dress shirt moved with his hard swallow.

When I looked at Ezra, his icy stare pinned me.

My instincts forced me to step back, but distance didn’t ease the discomfort of being stripped bare beneath his gaze. I couldn’t place why he caused the reaction in me, but it wasn’t the first time he unsettled me.

He stayed silent when I stepped away from him, his intense eyes studying me, almost as if he were waiting for something.

When the silence became too much, I pivoted and faced Ash. There was pain in his expression I couldn’t name. “What are you doing here?”

Before Ash could answer, Cyn snapped, “Ezra wanted to make sure you didn’t run away.”

I looked over my shoulder at Ezra. I couldn’t hide the exasperation in my voice when I asked, “Really?”

Again, he said nothing, and my frustration rose.

“I borrowed my friend Maya’s car. You’re in my home. Did you seriously think I’d steal her car and abandon my house?” I motioned toward the funeral site. Only a mound of dirt and flowers remained beneath the canopy. I whispered, “I came to say goodbye. I can’t believe you’d think…”

When I sniffled, Ash pulled me gently back against him, arms looping over my shoulders.

I didn’t understand the meaning behind his actions, but I’d noticed his attention on me more lately. Nothing like today—he’d never been this touchy.

“We don’t think you’d run,” he whispered, his fingers stroking my upper arms.

“Then why?”