Revived (Revved #2)

She cringes. Distress crosses her features, and a tear runs from her eye. It makes me feel like callous bastard.

I catch her falling tear, wiping it away with my thumb. “I’m sorry, babe. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, you’re right. Just hearing it makes me feel like a victim.”

“You were a victim, but now you’re a survivor.” I curl her hair around my hand. “You are a fucking miracle. You’re the strongest person I have ever known, India. Where you came from to where you are now…most people would have given up, but you didn’t. You fought hard to give your son the best life possible. You should be proud of yourself.”

A soft look enters her eyes. “I kind of love you, you know.” She runs her fingers into my hair.

“I kind of love you, too. A whole lot.” I lean close and press my lips to hers.

Moving away, I lean my head back against the sofa. “Paul getting out of prison—what does this mean for us?”

I see her smile when I say us. Then, she shrugs. “He’ll be living in Manchester, where he’s from. He’ll be on electronic tag and curfew, so he won’t be able to come here even if he wanted to. But Russell has had a restraining order put in place for Jett and me.”

“Has Paul ever threatened you?”

Her eyes lower. “Yes. A long time ago. Right after he went to prison, he sent me threatening letters.”

Pure undiluted rage burns through me. That fucker goes anywhere near India and Jett and I will kill him myself.

“I’m getting security for you and Jett for when I’m not here.” I hate that I have to leave soon, knowing that bastard is out there free to do as he pleases.

“What? No, it’s not necessary.” She shakes her head. “I don’t think he’ll bother us. I haven’t heard from him since the letters. And he’s been trying for parole for a long time, and now that he’s out, I’m sure he won’t want to jeopardize it.”

“Has Paul ever asked to see Jett?”

“No. I think he attributes Jett to him going to prison. I’m pretty sure he thinks if I had never got pregnant, then he would never have been found out.”

Anger and frustration and worry for her and Jett are pulsing through my veins.

“Please, just let me put some security guys on you to keep you safe.”

“It’s not necessary, Leandro.” She presses her hand to my cheek. “I’ll be fine. But okay, for Jett, yes, that would be a good idea. Just to be safe.”

“I fucking hate that I have to go to Belgium.” I sigh. “I really don’t want to leave you. Why don’t you and Jett come with me?”

“We can’t. I have to get back to work. I have patients depending on me. I’ve already taken time off. I can’t take any more.” She blows out a breath, looking a little lost.

“I won’t go to Belgium, then.”

She looks at me, aghast, dropping her hand from my face. “No,” she states emphatically. “You have to go. You’re contracted, and this is important to you. It’s your first season back since the accident.”

I cup her face in my hands. “You are more important to me.”

“I’ll be fine.” Leaning close, she presses a kiss to my forehead. “Kit’s here.” Then, a kiss to the tip of my nose. “Please, don’t worry.”

I hate feeling trapped and conflicted. I really don’t want to leave her while that fucking bastard is out on the streets, but I am contractually obligated to go to Belgium. I just wish she would come with me.

I start to speak, but she cuts me off with her lips, kissing me passionately.

I know her game, but I’m helpless to the feel of her delicate tongue in my mouth, her tight body against mine.

“This isn’t over,” I murmur under her lips, my hands reaching for her ass.

“I don’t doubt it,” she whispers. Then, she deepens the kiss, grinding herself against my erection.

I can work on her later, talk her into coming with me.

Because there is no way I feel comfortable with leaving her here without me.

And if she won’t come, then I will, without a doubt, have security detail assigned to her and Jett, until I can get back to them. Then, I will figure out what the fuck I am going to do for the rest of the races because I’m sure as hell not leaving her for extended periods of time while her jailbird of an ex is on the loose.

“HE’S DRIVING ME NUTS!” I hiss down the phone at Leandro. “He’s everywhere I go. I can’t even pee in peace without him standing outside the door. I feel like I’m back to the days when Jett was a toddler, and he used to follow me everywhere—bathroom included!”

Leandro laughs that deep rich laugh of his.

“It’s not funny!” I bite.

“I know, babe, but Andre is only doing his job.”

“A job that I don’t want him to be doing. I told you that getting a security guy for Jett was a great idea, but I don’t need one.” I point a finger at myself as if he could see me. “And I have patients coming in while he’s sitting out in the waiting room, and he’s scaring the life out of them. He’s bad for my business. I work on privacy here, Leandro.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him to sit outside your building in his car. Would that be better?”

“Much. Thank you. I do appreciate you looking out for me,” I add so not to sound like an ungrateful bitch, even though I didn’t want the security for myself. “It’s just weird, having him shadowing me.”