And over it all, the terrifying memory of brutal violence and vicious hands coated her spine with clammy dread.
Conor wanted nothing more than to hold her close, and drive away those shadows clouding her eyes. Someone must have bruised her heart, made her wary of caring too deeply. He’d like to strangle the bastard with his bare hands, and that fierce intensity surprised him. Helpless women and children had always aroused his protective instincts, but it was rare for him to feel such a violent surge of raw fury!
Because of it, he forced himself to take a step back, mentally and physically. No matter how much that brainless jerk might deserve his anger, and a good solid fist to his jaw, he didn’t want to scare Kiera.
It’d be his gain, though, if he could ease past her fears and strengthe
