One to Save (One to Hold 6)

He looks up at me, and his expression is so pained, my chest clenches again. As angry as I am, I still love him so much. His suffering tears me apart.

“Melissa,” he breathes my name in a way that nearly melts me. “I’ve wrestled with this decision so long—”

“Because you know it’s the wrong one.”

“Because I love you.” He stands and steps toward me. His massive size makes me feel very small. “I couldn’t risk you assuming any of the blame for what I did. This crime is solely on me. I wouldn’t let him hurt you again.”

With that one statement, understanding washes through me. “He threatened me?”

Derek’s chin drops, and I reach up to cup his cheek, sliding my palm over his close, dark beard. Our eyes meet then, and his are filled with so much regret. “Yes,” is all he says.

Reaching for him, I surrender to his embrace, and for a few moments, we simply hold each other. Our breathing swirls together, and images fill my mind of how something like that would affect this man who spent the first part of his career as a commanding officer, leading men like Stuart on combat missions. It would be like tweaking the nose of a lion.

My cheek is against his chest as I consider it. “How did he do it? How did he make that threat?”

Silence settles over the room, and I lift my head to look at him. He smooths my hair back from my face, his lips tightening as he views the tiny scar at my scalp. “He had your necklace.”

“What?” The icy fear is back.

“We were watching him, and he had it. He pulled it out and showed it almost as if he were taunting me...” Derek’s voice trails off, but I can see the anger darkening his blue eyes. “The idea that he had been here, in this house, close enough to take something so precious to you without our knowing...”

Memories of the dream I’d had that day so long ago trickle into my thoughts. I remember the squeak of his shoes, the spicy scent of his cologne burning my nose, the sound of scissors. Shivering, I step forward again to hide in the shelter of Derek’s arms.

He only holds me, breathing in the top of my hair. My eyes close as guilt rolls over me like a flood. I’m to blame for this. If I hadn’t been such a stupid fool to marry Sloan Reynolds, none of this would be happening. Derek Alexander, one of the most honorable men I’ve ever known, a hero, wouldn’t have ruined his reputation and possibly his life for me. He’d be free from guilt, he’d be away from this nightmare. It’s the horrible truth, my humiliating truth, that started this chain of events.

“It’s my fault.” My voice is so low, I’m sure Derek can’t hear me, but I’m wrong.

He catches my upper arms and holds me in front of him as anger fills his eyes. His dark brow lowers, the muscle in his jaw moving as his teeth clench. In this state I imagine he’s intimidating to others, but I feel no fear. He’d never hurt me.

“That is exactly why I didn’t tell you,” he growls. My eyes start to close, but he gives me a gentle shake. “Look at me, Melissa.” I obey and meet his steely gaze. “You are not to blame for this. Sloan Reynolds was a master manipulator. He fooled everyone, including me, and the last thing I’ll let you do is blame yourself.”

“If I hadn’t married him—”

“Stop.” Another gentle shake, and I’m back against his chest, surrounded by his arms. “You had no idea what he was hiding. No one did. We’ve talked about this.”

I want to argue, but he won’t let me.

“I should have had more control,” he continues. “I’m trained to be in control at all times. What happened is entirely my fault.”

I don’t agree with him. I know him too well, but that means, I also know he’s convinced himself of the truth of his words. Only one person is as stubborn as he is, and she’s locked in his arms right now. Struggling to get free, I look up at his face again, so strong, so handsome, so intense in his commitment to keeping his family safe.

“We’re not going to agree on this.” A few beats of silence pass, and for the first time in so long, he smiles. It’s small, but it’s better than the dark veil that’s been clouding his eyes.

“If anything ever happened to you... ” His voice is soft, and he cups my cheeks. “I can’t live without you, Miss Jones.”

My anger dissipates as his lips lightly cover mine, but I pull back. One enormous part of this is still unresolved.

“You can’t hide these things from me.” My voice is low, and I’m deadly serious. “Something this big... you have to include me in this, in your life.”

“I know.” He blinks down. “I told Patrick—”

“Patrick is in a shit load of trouble with me, too! He specifically promised to keep you out of trouble.”

“He’s already predicted your response.” That little smile is back, and he glances at me. For a moment, I forget I’m mad as his sexy gaze holds mine. “What’s all this making deals with Patrick behind my back anyway?”

“He promised he wouldn’t let you do anything dangerous or... potentially life-threating. Nothing that could take you from me forever.”

My final sentence is the big question hanging over us now. Our blue eyes meet, and I know the fear twisting my insides is plain on my face. He sits on the sofa and pulls my body to him. I’m standing in front of him, my hands resting on his broad shoulders.