Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
It didn't win me any with her either, apparently.
"Some of Tarasova's men came looking for you earlier," I say, changing tactics instead of telling her that she's wrong.
Despite her best efforts, she can't quite hide the flash of unfettered terror that races through her eyes. I don't miss the lack of surprise either, like she knew they would come. That tells me everything I need to know about why she was with them.
"Sai and Rich tell me you tried to sneak out earlier. I'm guessing you were trying to avoid falling back into their hands. If you're afraid of Tarasova, I can help you, but you have to help me do that," I murmur, fighting the urge to reach out to comfort her.
I've been questioning witnesses for a long time but doing it this time seems particularly cruel. The fear and hopelessness in her gaze prick at my heart. She's too goddamn young to be so fucking sad. And I'm an asshole for wanting her as much as I do when I know what she's been through.
Goddammit.
"What…" She pauses to lick her lips again. "What are you asking me to do, Detective Hernandez? What do you want from me?"
"I just want the truth," I whisper, unable to keep from leaning forward and tucking the blanket around her again. My hand brushes against her arm, making her jump. She doesn't like to be touched. I quickly sit back, giving her space, even though it's not what I want to do. I want to pull her into my arms and teach her that not every touch has to hurt. "If you're in danger, I can keep you safe, but you have to talk to me."
"I–" She breaks off, her gaze roving across my face like she's looking for some hint that I'm lying to her. "How can you keep me safe?" she demands after a moment. Hopelessness rolls through her expression again. "How can anyone?"
"I will," I promise, my voice lethally soft. "I won't allow them to hurt you."
"How?" she asks again.
I'll fucking kill every single one of them, angel.
"Protective custody."
She cocks a brow, hitting me with a look of adorable disbelief. "Witness protection isn't real."
"Probably not like you mean it," I agree, "but we can move you to a safe location outside of Bratva territory. Somewhere Tarasova can't find you."
"He'll find me," she mutters like she has absolutely no doubts about that.
"Someone will stay with you until they stop looking for you. They'll keep you safe."
"And what do I have to do in exchange?" she asks.
I grit my teeth against the irrational swell of anger her question brings forth. She asks it as if she expects me to act like Tarasova and demand something in exchange for keeping her safe. I want to tell her I'm nothing like he is…that not everyone is out to use and abuse her. And yet, I do want something from her. I want a whole helluva lot.
"I want you to help me bring Tarasova down," I murmur, my voice gruff as frustration pings through me. The last thing I want is for her to view me in the same light as that pendejo, but I can't lie to her, either. "You know who they are, how they think…what they do and where. I need to know what you do."
She eyes me silently for another long moment. "You say that like you think I have a choice, Detective Hernandez, but I don't think I do."
I quirk a brow in silent question.
"They saw me with you," she explains, impatiently batting at a piece of wayward hair with one bandaged hand. "They know I talked to you. You can pretty it up all you want, but we both know I don't have a choice here. My fate was sealed the moment I agreed to help you at Ilya's. If they find me, they will kill me. You know it as well as I do."
"Then why did you help me?"
"Because you asked," she says, like that explains everything, but it doesn't. Not even close.
Why does that matter to her?
And why do I care so goddamn much?
I don't have an answer to either of those questions, and that unnerves the hell out of me. So does the fact that she's right. Had I not asked for her help, Tarasova wouldn't have any reason to come for her. Maybe she could have snuck away in the pandemonium, hurried off to freedom somewhere far away. Instead, she stuck around to help me, thus sealing her fate, as she so baldly put it.
"Whether you agree to help me or not, I will keep you safe," I promise again, hoping she knows I mean that. Regardless of whether she tells me a damn thing or not, I got her into this. I'm the reason her life is in danger now. It's my responsibility to get her out of the mess I created, and I don't shirk my responsibilities.