“Excuse me?”
“My name is Colm. It’s not much of a secret, but it’s something not many people know.”
Gia pulled back and peered into his eyes. “Colm?” She liked the way the name sounded on
her tongue. His voice went wavy when he said it. She’d never heard his voice sound like that before.
“You’re not the only one with secrets, Mo Run.”
The whispered language took her by surprise. She latched on to the light among the
darkness. “What does that mean?”
“Maybe when you tell me your real name, I’ll tell you.”
Reality hit and she sighed. Her time of hiding was done. “I know I have to talk to Demon.”
“I don’t give a shit about that…”
The venom in his voice stunned her.
“I want you to tell me your name because you know you can trust me and you feel what’s
between us. I’m going to keep you safe, G. You’re going to stay with me and we’re going to explore the possibilities between us. People like us don’t get opportunities like this often. We’re both a little wrecked.” He trailed a finger down the side of her face.
The protests on the tip of her tongue stuck in her throat as he brushed his lips over hers. A shiver ran through her body. Receiving such blatant affection after what she’d revealed did funny things to her. He really doesn’t care. She wanted to deny their bond, but the telling had taken away her anonymity. For the first time since she crossed the ocean, someone knew her real story.
He saw the broken pieces of her she hated and still he looked at her with eyes full of admiration and lust.
“Give me your name, baby.”
She wanted to do this for him. The first man to make her feel wanted in the broken shell she walked around in. “Jalissa, my name is Jalissa.”
He hummed his approval. “Good girl. Mo Run means my dear, or my love. Now, we’re
going to walk out of here, Mo Run, and you’re going to stop thinking for a while.”
She reared back like a startled horse. “How in the hell do you expect me to do that?”
“Gia. Has she made a blatant move toward you?”
“No.”
“If I can find out you’re
not who you are, don’t you think she already has?”
“Yes.” Her lower lip trembled. The walls were closing in on her.
“Don’t let the past make you run scared. It’s going to trip you up and get you harmed. We’re going to play this like nothing is wrong. You start rocking the boat and you might tip her hand, assuming she’s even here.”
“She is…that bitch wants to see me sweat.” Gia swallowed, easing the dryness in her mouth.
“I don’t think it’s an accident word of her arrival got back to me.”
“Exactly.” He tapped her temples. “Trust me on this. I know what to do.” His words held a
weight of sadness behind them.