Isn’t.
Me.
Not able to look at the pain in her eyes any longer, I drag a hand down my face.
“Is it me? Are you running from me? Because of what I did… what you saw?”
“The only reason you know I exist is because I didn’t know how to leave you, Sebastian!”
My eyes snap open. “But you do now?”
“Of course, I don’t want to leave you. But Ican’tstay. Do you have any idea what it’s like to live in constant fear? To know the person who hurt you, abused you, could find you at any moment?” Grace asks, swiping a shaky hand under her eye.
“Then tell me who he is. Let me help you! You don’t have to run anymore.”
She had tried to tell me it was in the past, but a part of me couldn’t believe her. She might put on a strong façade, but when you watch her as intently as I have these past two weeks, you start noticing things. Like how she instinctively moves closer to you when there’s someone else even remotely close by. Or the way she always seems to be waiting for something to happen—constantly looking over her shoulder. I hate it, and now I know for certainheisn’t as out of the picture as she made it seem. Confirming what I already suspected only evokes more frustration that she won’ttell me.
When I made that deal with her in her apartment, I didn’t know what was going to happen. That I’d crave her to the point the thought of not seeing her every day would tear me up inside, let alone if she was a million fucking miles away.
“It doesn’t matter who he is, Sebastian. There’s nothing you can do.”
“I can keep yousafe,”I say, my voice rough. Why can’t she see that? Grace studies my face, searching for the truth in my words.
Why would she believe you? You didn’t keep her safe tonight.
Fuck,if something had happened to her.
Grace doesn’t say anything for a long moment, and I can practically feel the distance growing between us, though we stand only a metre apart.
I won’t force her to come with me. As much as I’d like to, I can’t do it, not after everything she’s been through. That doesn’t mean I will let her go without a fight.
If she fights me on it—truly wants to leave me—then I won’t be able to stop her. Although, I sure as hell won’t make it easy for her.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out what she came here for. “I won’t force you to come with me. I’m not a fucking monster,” I say, though it feels like I’m trying to convince myself of that fact more than I am Grace. “But if you want this…” I show her the passport she wants so badly, “… then you’ll stay.”
Her eyes flick from mine to the passport in my hand, indecision written in her expression. “Why are you doing this?” she asks.
Do I tell her the truth? Would it make a difference either way?
Fuck it.
“Because I don’t want you to go,” I say.
Hearing it out loud only highlights how selfish I’m being. Levelling my stare at her, I try to let her see how much I mean it. Grace’s only response is a slight widening of her eyes and parting of her lips.
What is she thinking?She feels something for me. I know she does, but is it enough for her to want to stay?
With two steps, I close the distance between us before taking her face in my hands.
“Stay.” The single word hangs over us—a plea.
Staring down at her, I struggle to comprehend how much has changed in two weeks. Ishouldlet her go. I don’t deserve her. What I’m doing is likely tearing apart my last shreds of decency, but the thought of never seeing her again is crushing.
When she doesn’t answer me, I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss is hard. Bruising. Desperate. “Please stay,” I whisper against her lips when I manage to pull myself away.
Her eyes flick between mine as her breath kisses my lips. It’s a long moment before she speaks, each second more torturous than the last.
“On one condition,” Grace says, and my heart kicks into overdrive, waiting for what’s to come. “If I say I want to leave, you’ll give me the passport and the flights you promised. No arguments. No changing the rules. It doesn’t matter if you’ve found who you’re looking for or not. You’ll let me go.” Instead of demanding, her voice is almost sad, but it’s no less strong.