Falling With Grace

I frowned. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.” He stepped behind me, his fingers trailing through my hair as he swept it behind my shoulders. The warmth of his chest pressed against my back, a sensual embrace that banished any lingering chills. “You were so brave.” His words, a husky whisper, caressed my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

My stomach tumbled, and the organ in my chest faltered. “B-brave?”

He thinks I’m brave?

No…

He’s just…

“Not many could survive what you have.”

I mustered a tight-lipped smile, the urge to retreat into myself weighing me down.

“You’re doing it again.”

“What?” My breath caught in short, clipped bursts.

“Hiding. You don’t have to do that with me.” His warm knuckles traced a tender path across my cheek, and I leaned into his touch, seeking solace in the comfort he offered. “Not anymore.”

I shouldn’t want his touch or comfort.

I should run far away from him.

What is this strange draw?

Elias was my refuge, my sanctuary, and my…

“Patrón.”

I leaned away from Elias, clenching my molars together as I spun on my stool toward the voice behind me.

Javier stood in the hallway looking in, his broad shoulders and tattoos adding to the danger the man exuded by justbeing.

“Yes?”

“A word.”

Elias held up his finger. “Just a moment.”

Javier nodded before turning and leaving.

“Before I go, there’s one more thing…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, then straightened it the moment we had dissolved. “Where did you get this?”

Elias slid the photograph on the counter with a finger.

Andrés…

My stomach twisted as I flicked my gaze up to his dark eyes. “That’s um… Andrés. Your mother gave it to me.”

“You see…” He leaned in a little closer. “I thought you’d say that, but here’s the problem…” Elias turned the picture towards him. “I threw this photograph away, along with all the others with him in it. So, why don’t we play the honesty game again and start over.”

My pulse pounding in my temples. “But I am.” My hand slid over his, touching the picture. “I’ve been here with you for how long now? Weeks? A month? Where would I hide this?” I shook my head with tight brows. “Think about it, Elias.”

A peculiar heaviness nestled in my gut as our eyes met. “I get it, your life’s a tightrope dance without room for coincidences, and paranoia’s your lifeline, but this…” I bounced my finger between us. “I’m not someone scheming behind the scenes.”

His finger twitched beneath mine, catching my attention.