Ava Gray - Skin Tight

“I can’t let you go,” he told her quietly. “Not yet. But the time is coming, min skat. I’m almost to the end of the last act-and just before I go, I’ll set you free. We’ll be together then, I promise. And please…” His voice broke. “Know how sorry I am.”

He rarely spoke to her like this, instead preferring to pretend she could hear him-that she might answer. Usually, he told her about the newest Disney movies and Miley Cyrus, things he imagined she’d care about if she still lived in his world instead of one made of moonlight and dreams.

“Not for you being born. I’ll never be sorry for that. You were-are-the best and brightest part of me. But for what I permitted to happen to you? Oh, Lexie-love, I’ll never stop suffering for that.”

Søren kissed her cheek and pushed to his feet. The beep of the machines gave the only reply. Aching as if he’d been beaten, he opened the door and stepped into the hall. Quick strides carried him past the front desk. Debbie didn’t think he noticed the way she watched him, but it would be impossible not to. He paid her no more attention this time as he departed. He knew she thought him a tragic, romantic figure, but there was nothing romantic about loss.

Grief broke some people. Some, it forged into a glittering weapon. He’d never dreamt the depth of his own determination, until they took everything he had away. And now he lived to make the guilty pay.

If Mia Sauter thought to stand in his way, well. Right now, he wanted to choke her with his bare hands. He slammed into the G37 and drove with a lead foot to the café. He’d eaten there often. Before he saw his daughter, he couldn’t stomach the thought of food, so most Saturdays he grabbed brunch at Nina’s. It was warm and inviting, done in country blue, and nobody bothered him, either.

She was waiting for him at a booth near the back, by the restrooms. From the remains on the table, it seemed she’d already eaten and was nursing her coffee. Søren blew past the hostess and sat down across from Mia, with fury streaming in his veins like raw lightning.

Her hands curled around the pale ceramic of her cup, as if in response to his expression, but she wasn’t a coward. She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze. “What I’ve done is indefensible. If you’d wanted me to know, you would’ve told me.”

Took the words right out of my mouth, lady. Damn her for leaving him unable to rail at her. The waitress bustled up. She’d served him before, and she seemed delighted to see he had company.

“The usual, hon?”

Surprise flashed across Mia’s face and that irritated him, too. Did she think he never ate? That he lived on fire and vengeance? Righteous fury could only take a man so far.

“That would be great. Thanks.”

In answer, the waitress produced a mug and filled it with coffee. Soon, he’d receive a heaping plate from the kitchen, covered in eggs, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, and sausage. And he’d need a snack in a few hours. If she spent any time with him, Mia would soon learn he ate enough for four linebackers.

By the time Gladys cleared off, the flames had settled in his head somewhat. At least, he no longer wanted to drag Mia out by her hair and strangle her. Honesty prompted him to admit, silently anyway, that part of his rage came from feeling bested. He’d let his guard down, and the results could’ve been disastrous. What if it hadn’t been Mia? What if it had been the Foundation goons? Horror spiked through him. He couldn’t afford to relax.

“So now you know,” he said tonelessly. “What are you going to do about it?”

She was too clever; he’d said that all along. But he’d give her a chance to do the right thing; her answer would decide her fate. God knew, he didn’t want to kill her, but if he had to choose between justice for Lexie and Mia Sauter, there was no choice at all.

“I’m going to help you, of course. I understand everything now.”

He froze. That wasn’t possible… was it?

“Oh?”

“I’ve got the big picture. Serrano invested in Micor. Using him as my common link, I did some checking, using my trusty iPhone… and everyone who initially invested in that consortium is now deceased.” Her eyes were bright and hard as obsidian. “In some cases, they were unusual and painful deaths. That’s what you’ve been doing. Going Punisher on their asses.”

Søren neither confirmed nor denied. He raised a brow. “An interesting theory.”

The waitress brought his food, so he began to eat. If he put it off any longer, he’d get the shakes. He kept his gaze on Mia, who looked gorgeous, tousled, and thoughtful. She took a sip of her coffee, and despite his lingering anger, he found himself watching her lips on the rim of the mug.

“Micor conducts illegal experiments on human beings,” she went on. “And you’re determined to stop them. I’m speculating now, but I believe they took your daughter. Maybe they took you as well. It would explain your weird… ability. Whatever they did to her, it broke something in her, and-”

“You’re dangerous.” He wanted her to believe she was right.

But she was uncomfortably close now. For God’s sake, Mia, dig no more. Be satisfied with what you know. It would kill him if she found out the truth-that he was to blame for what had happened to Lexie. Punishing those indirectly responsible had become his sole purpose for living, an obsession that permitted him to retain a sliver of sanity.

“I won’t ask how you got away… or why you didn’t destroy the facility before you ran.” She studied him too closely for comfort. “You were probably weak. Frightened. You just wanted to save your little girl. You weren’t thinking of revenge until you realized…”

Søren permitted himself a cold smile. “That she would never awaken?”

The compassion in her dark eyes was going to kill him. “Yes. Anyway, I’m so sorry. For everything. But you must know-I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you get the evidence you need to stop them.” She hesitated, laying her hand over his. “I’m glad you’ve realized you can’t just execute everyone involved.”

She was so close to the truth-and yet so far from the reality of him. His intentions would horrify her; she wouldn’t touch him if she knew. “I appreciate that.”

In the end, compassion would be her undoing.

“So, when are you going to kill me?” Mia asked, as he took a bite of pasta.

It was Sunday night, and she was surprised he’d returned to the condo. He’d taken off from the diner on Saturday morning after saying he’d be in touch, but she hadn’t expected to see him this soon. Jesus, but she had a lot to think about. Being with him was more complex than she’d ever imagined, probably more complicated than she wanted.

And yet she’d let him in tonight.

To his credit, he didn’t choke at the question. He chewed and swallowed before answering, “What makes you think I will?”

“Don’t I know too much?”

“And who would you tell?”

“I could tell Micor you’re not who you say you are.” She studied him for a few seconds, calculating his reaction. “But you already knew that.”

“That isn’t new. You could’ve done that since day one and you’re still walking, aren’t you?”

“But now I know the extent of your plans. What makes you sure I won’t turn you in for money? I bet there would be a finder’s fee for you.”

“More likely they would have you killed for-as you put it-knowing too much.”

Mia conceded that point, pushing the spaghetti around on her plate as he went on, “And you won’t betray me because you’re a loyal person who believes in justice. You can’t countenance Micor’s continued research any more than I can.”