She kissed his shoulder instead of his mouth. Blake was glorious naked. Powerful.
Debra AnastasiaSo that’s how it is. Today’s the big day.” Beckett nodded with a wry smile.
He knows.
He was naked now. “How you want me, baby? Execution style? Or you want to look me in the eyes?
Beckett Taylor, you killed my hopes and dreams. Now I’ll kill you and everyone you care about. You’ll leave this earth as empty as I am now.
Debra AnastasiaCome on, sweetheart. I’m letting you do this. Do it.” When she didn’t respond, he added, “Listen, I know it’s easier when they’re not fucking looking at you.”
Beckett turned and faced the wall.
“I don’t know who hired you, but can I ask you for something?” He talked at the wall.
Here comes the fast-talking, the mojo, the shout to his employees.
“Could you make sure Cole doesn’t take credit for his handiwork last night? And can you follow up on that Chris guy?” Beckett turned his head a bit, listening for her answer.
He still trusts me. He still trusts me with his brothers. I can’t do it.
I was pregnant, and then I wasn’t,” she said softly. “I was in love, and then I wasn’t. You did that. You took those things from me. My family was collateral damage in a drive-by ordered by you.”
“I’ve hated you longer than I’ve done much of anything else. No one hired me. I’m here because it’s the only way I’m still a mother to her. I can still be an angry mother even though she’s not here. But I’m not even doing that right.”
Eve hung her head in defeat. She felt the numbness crawl over her again. Claim me. I have nothing left.
Beckett dropped his arms and turned to face her. “Eve.”
The odd sound of her name on his lips brought her eyes to his face. He was devastated.
“What’s her name?” Beckett asked in an unsteady voice.
Eve bit her lip. She’d never told anyone.
“Anna.” Eve’s long-dry eyes filled with tears.
Beckett made no move to cover himself or call for help. “That’s a beautiful name. Anna’s very lucky to have such a dedicated mother. Once you’re a mom, that title’s yours for-fucking-ever—like a president.”
He reached over and chose the quietest pistol from the wall. He held it out to her.
“No one will hear this one, so you should be able to get out of here. I’m so sorry. I caused you the most unimaginable pain. It would be my honor to die at your hand, if it gives you even a moment’s peace.”
Eve stared at the gun for a long while. “That’s the worst part,” she whispered, her voice soaked with defeat. “I’m not strong enough. I’ve killed so many. I can kill anyone. But I can’t kill you.
He stepped close to her; she could feel his breath on her neck. “Eve, you make me not want to die.”
She turned to see his face. “I didn’t want to be this, and now it’s all I am.”
He put his hands on her cheeks. The look on his face did her in. He was kind, caring, and mourning her losses. Tears wet his cheeks. Eve felt a very deep sob choke her. If he was mourning, so could she.
He pulled her into his arms. “Cry. It’s okay. Cry.”
Eve felt her knees give. He caught her and carried her to his couch. He petted her hair and let her empty her pain and guilt onto his chest. He kissed the top of her head. For the first time, his actions toward her seemed to have no sexual intent whatsoever.
Eve let go of a rope she’d clung to for too long. And she fell. She fell right into him. Wrong or right, she gave up judging. Her lips found his, and he kissed her gently, not demanding any more than she was willing to offer.
Fuck you. Fuck you, Beckett Taylor.” She flexed her fist.
Beckett’s jaw tightened. “Looks like you got that covered, gorgeous.”
Eve full-on slapped his face in the opposite direction.
Beckett just licked his lips. No woman had ever slapped him. But she did.
Beckett wiped his mouth with his wrist. “If you’re planning on fucking me to death, I’m so on board with that.
Debra AnastasiaHe was serious. He didn’t want her to hold him close. He didn’t want to pretend she was his mother. He didn’t want to imagine going home in her car to pet her black labs. He didn’t want to dream about sitting down to a home-cooked spaghetti dinner at her kitchen table with her family. Those things would never be his. He watched her eyes switch from hazel to green.
Debra AnastasiaHe knew she saw it coming. He saw the pain in her eyes, but it wasn’t from his fist. She was disappointed.
Disappointed in me.
Cole started running. He hit the side door and let it bang loudly against the building. He ran full tilt toward the busy road. This is it. I’m going down. Finally.
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