His Secret Kiss

Chapter Six – Shadows Between Us

The room felt small his presence heavy I met his eyes You shouldn’t have followed me here he said Then why did you bring me I whispered

He turned finally the glow from the streetlights painting his face in soft silver and shadow his eyes met mine and I saw it the war he was fighting with himself the one he would never admit aloud

Because I couldn’t let them hurt you, he said quietly

The words cut through me like the rain outside sharp and cold Them who

He stepped closer his scent dark and warm People think you know something you shouldn’t he said people think you’re part of my secret

My throat tightened And are they right

His jaw clenched You’re not supposed to be part of this Vera but once they saw you with me they made you one of their targets

The word target echoed between us like thunder

I should have run I should have screamed but instead I whispered Then what happens now ooh ooh

He reached out brushed a strand of wet hair from my face his touch gentle almost trembling Now I protect you even if it means losing everything else

My heart stuttered his words were both promise and curse Austin…

He cut me off his hand sliding behind my neck pulling me closer his voice breaking I told myself I wouldn’t touch you again that I’d keep you safe by staying away but every time I look at you I forget how to breathe

The space between us vanished his lips found mine again this time slower deeper desperate like a man drowning who’d just found air the kiss was everything we shouldn’t have everything we couldn’t stop

When he finally pulled away his forehead rested against mine his voice raw If you stay with me you’ll never have a normal life again

I smiled faintly my tears falling onto his skin “Who said I ever wanted normal

For the first time that night his lips curved into a real smile small but real You’re going to regret saying that

Maybe, I whispered but not tonight

He let out a slow breath as if surrendering to something he’d been fighting for too long then he took my hand lacing his fingers through mine Come with me there’s something I need to show you something that might finally make you understand

We left the apartment the city sleeping beneath the storm the streets glistening under the dim glow of streetlights I didn’t ask where we were going I just followed him because somehow my fear of losing him was louder than the fear of what waited ahead

The car ride was silent only the sound of rain against the windshield breaking the stillness his jaw was tight his hands gripping the wheel too hard I wanted to ask a hundred questions but none of them felt safe

Finally he spoke barely above a whisper My name isn’t really Austin Cole

I turned to him shock and confusion colliding What did you just say

He didn’t look at me Austin Cole died five years ago the night a plane went down off the coast I took his identity because it was the only way to survive

I stared at him unable to breathe Then who are you

His eye flicked to mine silver and stormy Someone who doesn’t exist anymore

The car slowed near the docks waves crashing in the distance he parked turned to face me fully I didn’t lie to hurt you Vera I lied to stay alive and to keep you safe once you walked into my life they found me again

The pieces started falling into place every strange look every shadow that followed us every secret he refused to explain The people watching you, I said slowly they’re the ones from your past aren’t they

He nodded once And now they’re watching you too

The wind howled outside carrying the smell of salt and danger he reached into his coat and pulled out a small silver key pressing it into my palm If anything happens to me find the place this belongs to it’s the only truth left

I looked down at the key trembling Austin please just tell me everything

His hand came up brushing my cheek again his touch soft his eyes full of regret You’ll know when it’s time

Then headlights flashed behind us and his expression changed instantly the softness gone replaced by the cold steel I’d only seen once before

They’ve found us, he whispered get down

Before I could move the glass shattered

Glass exploded across the car like diamonds scattering in the dark I screamed as Austin’s arm shot out pulling me down against his chest shards rained over us the sound deafening outside the rain mixed with the crack of gunfire

Stay down he shouted his body covering mine the heat of him shielding me even as glass sliced across his sleeve I felt his heart pounding wild steady fierce

My voice broke Austin what’s happening

He didn’t answer only reached for the glove compartment grabbed a black pistol and c****d it with one sharp movement the calm in his eyes sent a shiver through me They found us faster than I thought

He pushed open the driver’s door and stepped out into the storm bullets whizzed past his head but he didn’t flinch I watched through the cracked windshield rain and fire flashing around him as he moved like a shadow every motion sharp controlled deadly

Someone shouted from the darkness a man’s voice deep and angry You can’t run forever Cole

Austin’s voice cut back through the chaos Watch me

I crawled out on the passenger side my hands shaking the pavement slick beneath me he turned instantly grabbed my wrist I told you to stay down

I’m not leaving you! I yelled back rain soaking through my clothes lightning flashing between us his eyes blazing silver and fear You’ll die if you stay

Then we die together

For a second he froze the fight draining out of his face the sound of my words hitting him harder than the bullets he caught my face in his hands rain dripping from his lashes You shouldn’t love me Vera

Too late I whispered

He kissed me then quick fierce desperate like it might be the last time his lips tasted of rain and blood and heartbreak when he pulled back he took my hand again Run

We sprinted through the alley water splashing beneath our feet our breaths ragged behind us the gunfire grew faint until only the thunder followed us he dragged me into an old warehouse door slamming shut behind us the silence that followed was almost unbearable

He leaned against the wall breathing hard his shirt clinging to his skin blood running down his arm You’re hurt I whispered

It’s nothing

I tore a strip from my sleeve pressed it to the wound he hissed softly his hand catching mine Vera stop

I can’t I said You saved me now let me do something

Our eyes met again and something in his broke he leaned forward his forehead resting against mine his voice raw You shouldn’t even be here yet you are and I don’t know how to protect you anymore

I smiled faintly despite the tears Maybe I don’t need protecting maybe I just need the truth

He looked away then took a slow breath The truth is I was part of something that shouldn’t exist a covert unit inside the government when it fell apart they buried it and everyone in it I survived but not as Austin Cole that name gave me cover until they discovered I was still alive now they want to finish the job

My stomach twisted And me

They think you know where I hid the files I told them nothing but they won’t stop until they find you too

The air thickened around us heavy with fear and longing he reached for me again pulling me close I shouldn’t touch you not now not when they could be outside but I can’t stop

I melted against him his heartbeat hammering through the space between us our lips almost touching again when he whispered If anything happens to me remember the key it’s the only way to end this

I nodded but my throat was too tight for words

Then a sound echoed outside the sharp crunch of footsteps on gravel he froze gun raised eyes cold again They’re here

I clutched his arm What do we do

He looked back at me his voice a whisper but filled with steel We fight or we run but either way we stay together

Before I could answer the door burst open light flooding in and his grip tightened around my hand “Don’t let go

And I didn’t

Not even when the world exploded into chaos again