Page 142 of Hostile Saint

That’s it.

Just the sight of her had my whole body going still. Not so much motionless, but a calm that spoke to my still brewing mental storm.

She was the ease in my peace. She was my peace when at war.

She is my…. evermore.

Yes, that is what she had always been to me.

Standing there, next to her bed, watching her sleep, my heart pounded to hold her. Dagger was wise. Seeing this sleeping beauty in the flesh, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that our connection was love. No DNA altering could touch the divine gift between us.

Setting her vanilla shake on the nightstand and pulling back her blanket, I gently slid into her bed. My body brushing up against hers had hazel eyes fluttering open, entrancing me even more.

Fucking. Heaven.

As I laid my head to her pillow to get lost in those eyes, soft palms lazily touched my face. She whispered, “You’re back.”

I tucked an arm around her precious body and pulled her closer to my chest. “I missed you.”

Tiredly, her fingers ran through my hair that would soon be shaved off for my new ID photograph. Sweet breath swept across my face as she asked, “Were your friends right? Did you have to go home?”

Swallowing, because my throat tightened with memories of the bloody trip, I thought to myself, I killed them all, baby, but said, “Yes. I really did.”

“If you ever have to go again,” her eyes drifted shut, “will you take me with you?”

Little did she know, names had already been picked. Her false identity was being created as we laid there, me telling her, “I would love that.”

A slight gasp echoed as if she actually doubted what my answer would be. Then her little tongue wet her lips. “Tate, can I have a sugar kiss now?”

After what I had done—the crimes I had committed—for God to still allow me such kindness, my eyes watered and I nodded, desperate for the serenity only this young woman could offer.

Since her eyes were shut when I had silently answered her, suddenly too overcome to speak, they studied me, then filled with compassion and love. “Shhh,” she whispered before pressing her lips to mine. “Shhh.” She blessed me as her body moved on top of mine. “Shhh,” was the last sound she made before her mouth took over mine.

I was supposed to be giving her sugar kisses, but it was her doing the giving, her tongue caressing mine. Her body, so perfect, was like the softest pillow blanketing me. Relishing her being so close, my arms held tight. I’d only been gone for a little over a week but had missed her terribly.

That is why, as she got heavier and her mouth slowed, I silently cursed her doctor. I had arrived just before those fucking meds had taken her over completely.

Her cheek gently slid against mine as her head fell to my shoulder. Delicate breaths touched my neck as my brewing storm took the lead again. I felt like someone was daring to take my only peace away. It felt like people, who had no right, were always fucking with my life.

Done with others making decisions for my wife, I retrieved my cell from my pocket and let my angry thumb type:

Fuck this doc!

In the woods outside, Lynx typed back:

Lol, I hear ya, kid.

With Lace still on top of me, I typed:

I want her out.

It took a minute, but my phone finally vibrated.

Think she can handle it?

I didn’t respond. My patience was running too thin. I wanted my wife out.

That was it.