Page 40 of Shadow Redemption

Ruth tore herself from his arms, the expression on her face highlighting her inner grief and turmoil. She spun and would have dashed to the door if Ben hadn’t stopped her by wrapping his arms around her from behind. She tried to wrench away from him.

Ben tightened his grip. “You had enough courage to tell me what you wanted.” She’d spilled a truth that had literally taken his breath away. Although he longed to grab onto her with both hands and never let go, he couldn’t have her. Could he? “Tell me the rest.” Perhaps if she couldn’t see his face while she talked, saying what was on her mind and heart would be easier. Did she mean what she said? Did she want him in her life long term?

Ruth shuddered.

Fear or attraction? When she pressed her back more firmly against his chest, the constriction around Ben’s heart eased. Attraction. Thank God. The chemistry between them was combustible, making her almost irresistible to him. He was in so much trouble.

“I haven’t told you what Hugo did to me,” Ruth whispered. “I couldn’t.”

He closed his eyes as pain for her rocketed through him. He wished he could go back in time and prevent Hugo from kidnapping her, but it was impossible. “I have a pretty good idea. He raped you, didn’t he?”

A slight nod. “I feel dirty inside and out.” Her voice broke. “Even though I know what happened wasn’t my fault, I can’t help how I feel.”

“I understand.” More than she or anyone else knew.

“You can’t.”

Ben turned her to face him. “Actually, I do.”

Ruth stared, then understanding dawned in her eyes. A second later, blood drained from her face and she gripped his upper arms. “Who hurt you?”

No time to discuss this right now. He also had to prepare himself to bare his worst nightmare. If anyone else asked that question, he’d shut them down, cold. But this was Ruth. If he shut her out of this portion of his life, he’d lose her. “We don’t have enough time for that story. We need to go to the conference room before someone looks for us.”

Her hands tightened around his arms. “You promise to tell me the truth?”

“I will.”

“When?”

“When we’re alone and not worrying about interruptions.” He cupped her cheek with his palm. “You’re the strongest woman I know, Ruth Monihan. You don’t have broken pieces.”

She looked uncertain. “What about my ridiculous fantasy?”

He pressed a light kiss to her mouth. “We’ll talk about that, too. But you should know the feelings are mutual.” When she gasped, Ben knew they had to leave this room before he launched into a lengthy discussion or yanked her into his arms for more sizzling kisses.

They needed the soul-baring discussion before he allowed himself to touch her like that again. She deserved the truth and a choice about whether to risk the danger.

He threaded his fingers through hers, unlocked the door, and led her to the conference room where his teammates were seated around the table.

Trace scowled. “Where have you been? Doesn’t take 20 minutes to get from the garage to the conference room.”

“I needed time to get rid of the shakes,” Ruth said before Ben could tell his best friend to back off.

The fierce look in the sniper’s eyes shifted to concern in an instant. “You’re okay? No injuries?”

“I’m fine, thanks to Ben. He saved my life twice in the past ninety minutes.”

“Any word from Jon or Eli?” Ben asked Nico.

His team leader looked grim. “Yeah. They called the cops a few minutes ago. Law enforcement should be on scene soon.”

“The two idiots talked.”

A nod.

Ben frowned. “Well?”

“You won’t like what they had to say.” Nico’s gaze flicked to Ruth before returning to him.