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)
The sight of it has me stepping closer to her.
When my arm brushes hers, she immediately takes a tiny step away, glancing at me like I'm annoying her. It's driving me insane that she keeps moving away from me when all I want is for her to move closer. I hate that she doesn't want me to touch her. She all but melted into my embrace last night, clinging to me like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go. It's obvious she craves human touch, but for whatever reason, she's determined to deprive herself of it. I'm sure that's probably because the only touch she's ever had until now has been unkind, but I don't like it.
Cristo, I want her to crave my touch. I want her to run to me for comfort, to seek me out just because she wants to be held. I want her to want me in her personal space as badly as I want to be there. I'm walking a goddamn dangerous line with her, and I fucking know it. But even knowing it hasn't stopped me from shifting closer to the point of no return.
"Are you guys hungry? There's plenty," Mila says, pointing at all the dishes on the table.
"Do you want something, conejita?" I ask, tipping my head down to look at Faith.
"No, thank you."
"You haven't eaten anything since yesterday afternoon."
"I'm not very hungry."
I sigh, but don't force her. Maybe once she feels a little more settled, she'll start eating again.
She watches as Mila reaches for Roman's hand, placing it on her belly. Her eyes light up, a small smile overtaking her face as she observes them. She takes another step away from me, which makes me scowl.
"Detective Hernandez says you're having a little girl," she says, ignoring me as I close that little bit of space between us. "Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"When are you due?" she asks, taking another step away from me.
¡Jesucristo! She's driving me crazy.
"In mid-March," Mila says.
"Have you made any progress identifying Amato's other shooters?" Luke asks me a second later.
I continue to watch Faith for a moment before I shake my head and turn to Luke, resolving to talk to her later about why she's determined to keep me at arm's length.
"Not much," I growl to Luke, unable to keep my frustration from bleeding into my voice. "They're about as cooperative as you'd expect. Based on Faith's description and the few witnesses who have been willing to talk, I'm almost positive one of them is Rocky Casiano, but he either skipped town or went into hiding."
"Isn't Rocky one of those you, Tristan, and Kincaid hunted down a few days ago?" Luke asks Roman.
"Yep. I'm not surprised he skipped town. He's a little bitch."
"He'll turn up again sooner or later," I murmur, still watching Faith. "They usually do."
Organized crime groups may move, but they never really leave. They simply pick some new place to wreak their havoc, find some new way to terrorize innocent people. If Rocky Casiano doesn't return to the city, we'll find him somewhere else, doing the same things for another branch of the Amato Family that he did here.
"Truth," Luke mutters. "Though with Kincaid back in town, he might not resurface this time. They're all shitting bricks about him being here."
"Would you like to see the nursery?" Mila asks Faith.
I see her eyes dart in my direction like she's seeking permission before she looks at Mila again. I don't say anything, instead letting her decide for herself what she wants to do. She doesn't need my permission. Soon enough, she'll learn that when she's with me, she calls the shots. I will never let fear rule her, but I'll never make her do something she genuinely doesn't want to do.
Mila smiles at her in silent encouragement.
Faith hesitates for another moment and then her shoulders go back, and she nods. She may be leery, but she hasn't let it stop her yet. Since the beginning, she's been brave as hell, facing her fears when most others would have broken by now. I'm damn proud of her for that.
Roman picks Mila up and lowers her to the floor before running a fingertip across her cheek. She smiles at him and then crosses to Faith. I watch until they're out of sight, planting my feet to resist the urge to follow behind them. Faith needs to be able to do this on her own, and I think being around Mila will be good for her. There is nothing fake or untrustworthy about her. Faith could probably use a friend like her right now.
"How's she doing?" Roman asks, pitching his voice low to avoid them overhearing his question.
"Not great," I mutter. "Physically, she's healing. Mentally, she's a wreck. She's having nightmares. She's terrified out of her mind. I'm going to see about getting her in to see a therapist. Meant to do it this morning, but I have to be at a debriefing at eleven." I glance at Luke, sizing him up. "You willing to keep an eye on her for me?"