Page 24 of Guarding Salvation

“Do I make you nervous, Aoife?”

She shook her head in vehement denial despite the fact he could practically hear her heart as it banged against her chest. “No.”

Bram stepped forward lifting his hand to her face. Her eyes closing, she leaned closer in an indication she wanted his touch as much as he wanted to touch her, but he couldn’t. Everything was different now she was a case to them and as much as he wanted to, he’d keep his distance so he could do his job. Instead, he merely tucked a strand of hair back from her face, his fingers grazing her skin and making goosebumps break out all over his body at the shudder that ran through her.

He tried to hide his pleasure at her reaction but failed, the smirk on his face telling her that he knew exactly how he affected her, which was a jerk move. Turning her back on him, Aoife fussed with the drawers before turning back to find him waiting with his hands in his pockets. Stillness was a skill he’d learned at a very young age. To wait out in the cold for a stag or doe to appear was a lesson in patience but waiting for a target to come into focus behind his sniper rifle was a skill only honed by practice.

“Do you think they’ll vote to take the case?”

So that was what she was worried about. She didn’t know these people, not even him really, although he felt like he knew her. He knew if anyone could help her it would be them.

“I hope so, but even if they don’t, I won’t let you fight this alone, Irish.” He’d already made that decision but he knew it was the right one as soon as he saw the relief ease her tense shoulders.

“What do you mean?”

Bram moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed and she sat beside him. “I’m not going to just let them send you away to fend for yourself against that animal you call a father.”

Aoife shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“If they vote not to help you, then I’ll help you alone.”

Aoife stood before moving back, taking away the temptation she represented to him. “No, you don’t know what you’re taking on. My father is evil. I won’t have you going up against him alone.”

Bram stood abruptly, anger tightening his jaw. “Wait, let me get this straight. I can’t go up against him without my team, but you can?”

“That’s different, I’m his daughter. This is my fight.”

He didn’t understand her stubborn refusal and it was making him crazy. Bram moved closer grabbing her hand in his as tears hit the top of her cheeks before sliding down her face. “I can handle your father, Irish. Please, if the need arises, let me do this for you.”

Aoife looked up at him through watery eyes. “Why?”

“Because it’s all I can give you and I need to.”

He could see in her eyes that Aoife knew what he was saying, what had happened between them had no future. Despite the insane chemistry and sex they’d shared, whatever this was between them was temporary if not already over. She looked as sad about it as he was, and regret pooled in his belly like day-old Chinese takeaway.

“You don’t owe me anything, Bram. We hooked up. It was great but neither of us made promises to each other.”

“Maybe not, but you’re more than a hook-up, Aoife. You’re a good person who deserves a life without terror in it and I can give you that, so let me, please.”

A sigh escaped him when she nodded her head in acceptance.

“Good girl.” Because he couldn’t help himself, he pulled her bowed head into his chest and kissed her hair, just holding her for a minute and relishing every second.

“Knock, knock.”

Aoife moved to jump back from Bram as Snow stepped in, but he stayed her with his hand on her hip. A slow smile creased Snow’s pretty face as she looked between them, jumping to exactly the wrong conclusion.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Bás wants to see you both in the conference room.”

“We’ll be there in a second,” Bram answered for them both and Snow grinned before she skipped off out the door.

“Is she always so happy?”

“Yeah, pretty much, but don’t let her fool you. Snow is deadly and cunning in a way I’ve never seen before.”

“Who are you people?”

“I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”