Page 64 of Tempest’s Torment

I swallow around the lump in my throat. "The park?"

"Sorry, but yeah."

I let out a shaky breath. "I thought..." I laugh once, bitterly. "I thought I was finally getting my life back." Tempest doesn't interrupt me, letting me get it all out. "I kept telling myself I was imagining things."

"You weren't," his voice is firm.

"I thought Boston was safe."

"It was."

I look up. "What?"

His eyes don't leave mine. "You got out." My chest tightens at his words. "He followed you, Lilah."

The words hit harder than I expect, because they're true. I sink down into the nearest chair and for a long moment neither of us speaks. "I'm so tired," I whisper.

"I know."

"Tired of checking every lock." I look down at my hands. "Tired of wondering who's behind me every time I leave the apartment."

He crosses the room, slowly, giving me every chance to tell him to stop. He stops in front of me. "You don't have to do it alone anymore."

Something inside me cracks, and I look up at him and see that he's already looking at me.

His hand comes up slowly, and he brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. His fingertips linger for the briefest second against my cheek, not moving any closer; he just waits. Like the decision has always been mine. I search his face for doubt or expectation, but I don't find either, only patience. I lean forward first; it's barely any distance at all.

Our mouths meet softly, the kiss is gentle and careful, it’s like neither of us wants to frighten the other away.

His thumb brushes my cheek and I close my eyes. For the first time in what feels like forever, I don't feel afraid.

When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine for the briefest second, I don't move and neither does he.

Then something changes. I watch as his body goes still, completely still.

I frown. "Tempest?"

His eyes aren't on me anymore; they're fixed on something beyond my shoulder. Slowly, he steps around me and I turn.

Across the street is a black SUV, sitting at the curb with its engine off.

CHAPTER TEN

tempest

The kiss isn't long enough. I know that before I even step back. My forehead rests against hers, her breath warm against my skin, and for the first time in a long time, my head's quiet. There’s no threats, no contingency plans; it’s just her.

I don't move and neither does she. I should, but I don't. I want another second, hell, maybe two. I want long enough to kiss her again.

Movement catches my eye from the window and in that instant everything changes. I step around her, putting myself between her and the window. The black SUV sits across the street with its engine off. They’re watching, waiting, and every other thought disappears. I move closer to the glass, staying just far enough to one side that my profile doesn't give me away.

The windows are tinted so I can't see the driver.

I scan the vehicle instead: registration, wheels, any damage to the bodywork, anything that stands out, anything I'll remember later. I quickly pull out my cell once again and snap some pictures; I want everything documented.

Behind me, I hear Lilah shift. "Tempest?"

I don't look away from the street. "Step back from the window."