His Secret Kiss

Chapter Five – The Night We Couldn’t Forget

The rain hadn’t stopped the city melting into silver shadows his voice cut through the dark sharp and low you shouldn’t be here then tell me why you brought me I whispered

He hesitated his hand brushing my arm a touch soft enough to break me Because, he said voice cracking I can’t lose you too

My chest tightened

Too? I asked but his eyes said enough pain and secrets that words couldn’t hide

Austin what are you hiding

He took a step back as if distance could protect me You don’t understand Vera if you stay you’ll get hurt they already know about you

My breath hitched Who are they

He didn’t answer he just reached for me again pulling me close his hands trembling as if the world was ending around us and maybe it was when his lips touched mine it wasn’t just a kiss it was a promise a warning and poo all at once

When he finally pulled away the storm outside grew louder matching the storm inside me

If I let you go I lose everything, he murmured against my skin

Then don’t, I breathed

But deep down I knew he already had

The silence stretched between us long enough to hear the rain breathing against the glass his hand still on my waist as if letting go would make everything real again I could feel his heart pounding against mine too fast too wild and I knew he was fighting something bigger than both of us

Austin please talk to me,I whispered you’re scaring me

He stepped back finally his eyes soft but distant If I tell you everything Vera you’ll never look at me the same again

Then let me decide that,I said almost begging don’t shut me out

He stared at me for a long moment the air thick with everything unspoken then finally he moved to the table and opened a small black folder the kind that didn’t belong in a love story Inside were pictures documents things I couldn’t understand until I saw one photo that made my knees weak

It was me

Taken weeks ago outside my apartment unaware caught in the glow of streetlights

My voice cracked Why do they have this

His jaw tightened Because they were watching me and now they’re watching you

My world tilted the ground slipping beneath my feet Who are you really Austin

He closed the folder slowly his eyes meeting mine with something like regret and fear tangled together Someone who’s been lying to protect you

I didn’t know what to say I only knew that my life had just changed forever and no matter what happened next there was no going back

For a long moment I just stood there staring at the photo as if it could somehow make sense of everything that had been happening The sound of the rain outside faded into a dull hum and all I could hear was the rush of my own heartbeat the slow trembling sound of fear curling inside my chest

Austin, I whispered again what have you done

He didn’t answer right away just rubbed his temples like he was fighting a war inside his own head finally he said quietly Everything I told you about my job about the company it wasn’t all a lie but it wasn’t all true either

I swallowed hard Then what is true

He lifted his eyes to mine there was so much pain in them that I almost wished I hadn’t asked That night we met it wasn’t an accident Vera I was sent there

The words hit like thunder

Sent where

To the club that night he said softly I was supposed to be watching someone else but then you walked in and everything changed

My stomach twisted You were watching me

No not at first but when they realized who you were they made you part of the job I tried to stop it I swear I did

I took a step back my voice shaking You mean I was part of some investigation

He looked away his silence said yes before his mouth could I didn’t want to involve you but when they found out I cared about you they used you to control me

Everything inside me broke at once the room spun and I felt my knees weaken he reached for me but I pushed him away You used me

His voice cracked No Vera I loved you

Loved me or needed me to make your lies look real

The pain in his face was almost worse than the anger burning in mine he ran a hand through his hair pacing like a man trapped in a cage You don’t understand it wasn’t supposed to go this far I was trying to protect you from them

Who are they Austin

He stopped finally his shoulders tense People who don’t forgive mistakes people who destroy everything that stands in their way

The words hung in the air heavy and real and terrifying I stared at him realizing just how deep his world ran You’re not just a CEO are you

He didn’t answer and that was answer enough

The rain grew louder against the glass almost violent matching the storm that had taken over my chest he stepped closer his eyes desperate Vera please I can explain but not here it’s not safe anymore

My voice was barely a whisper Safe from who

He reached for my hand his touch trembling Pack a bag tonight I’ll come for you at dawn we’ll leave the city

Leave the city with him? Every part of my mind screamed no but my heart was already saying yes that was the problem with love it made you believe even when you knew better

What happens if I don’t go with you I asked quietly

His eyes darkened Then they’ll find you and I won’t be able to stop them this time

The fear in his tone wasn’t the kind that came from threats it was the kind that came from truth raw and deadly and certain

He turned away pulling a small flash drive from his pocket placing it on the table If something happens to me open this it has everything you need to know but don’t trust anyone until I say so not even the police

My heart pounded Austin what are you talking about

He looked at me then and the softness in his eyes was almost enough to break me “I’m talking about surviving

Then he was gone just like that out the door leaving the echo of his scent and his warning behind

I stood there frozen staring at the drive my fingers trembling around it part of me wanted to throw it away pretend none of this was real but deep down I already knew I couldn’t unsee the truth I couldn’t unlove him either and that was the part that hurt the most

Hours passed maybe minutes I couldn’t tell when I finally lay on my bed the city still crying outside I kept replaying every moment we’d shared every touch every kiss every lie trying to find where the truth had ended and the deception began

I didn’t sleep that night every sound made me flinch every shadow felt like it was watching me when the first light of dawn slipped through the blinds I knew one thing nothing about my life would ever be normal again

A knock came at my door soft urgent I held my breath before opening it

Austin stood there rain-soaked eyes tired jaw tight They know where you are we have to go now

I didn’t even have time to argue he grabbed my hand pulling me down the hallway and into the elevator my heart racing faster with every floor we passed when the doors opened the world outside was chaos the sound of engines the flash of headlights cutting through the mist

He opened the car door for me his voice low Trust me just this once

And somehow I did

The city blurred past us as he drove the rain slicing through the night like broken glass I turned to him words trapped in my throat Where are we going

Somewhere they can’t find you

But they’re after you too

He looked at me then with a small sad smile That’s why I have to make sure you’re safe first

Tears burned behind my eyes I don’t want to be safe if it means losing you

He reached out his hand brushed my cheek so gently that it hurt “You already saved me Vera you just don’t know it yet

The road ahead stretched into darkness but sitting there with him I realized something terrifying love wasn’t about safety it was about surrender and I had already surrendered completely to the man with too many secrets and the kiss that started it all