Page 53 of Covert Mission
“A lot. I can assure you. But I also want you to know that I never get drunk. I saw the ugly side of that when I was a kid.”
The color is leeching from her face like she’s got a mortal wound.
“Who scared you, Poppy?”
A little sound sticks in her throat. “Beast, don’t. It was a long time ago, and I’m not going back there, ever.”
My arms tighten around her. “Your father?”
When she goes plank-stiff, I get my answer.
I hold her tighter as my blood starts to burn with a dangerous hunger for revenge. “Where is that fucker?”
Her body sags. “In prison,” she replies softly.
“Which one?”
Her breath catches, but she turns to look at me.
We’re inches apart. Our exhales mingle.
Her pretty hazel eyes flicker. “Why do you want to know?”
When I don’t reply she shivers and pulls back. “You look murderous.”
“I’m glad you see how serious I am about wanting to know where he is.”
“Don’t.” The tip of her tongue skitters across her lower lip. “It’s not worth it. He’s getting his punishment for a life of destruction.”
“Is anything but death a just punishment for a man that beats his child?”
A tornado of emotion surrounds her. When her chin trembles, part of me cracks open.
“How did you know?” she asks in an eerily monotone voice.
I roughly tug her against my chest and bury my face in her hair. I can’t do more than whisper, “I just know.”
Dark anger swirls deep inside me. The horrific memories are never far.
I don’t want them to be.
So, I cling to the feel of her, her warmth. The smell of apples on her hair. She is a tether to the here and now as my insides threaten to go up in flames.
That coal needs to smolder.
ChapterFifteen
How can this man’s arms feel like a homecoming?
I’m more confused than I’ve ever been in my life.
I feel cared for. Really, deeply cared for…by a stranger.
I should climb off his lap. Lock myself in the bathroom and get my act straight. Ishould…Not lean in and rest my head on his shoulder. But I can’t drag myself away.
“I’m probably making your legs go to sleep.”
He rumbles beneath my ear. “You’re not heavy enough to do that.” His arms cinch tighter, locking me in the cocoon of his strength.